Amidst the intensifying Championship fight behind Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari, the midfield battle has become somewhat overlooked. Specifically, VCARB’s poor development has gone under the radar. However, the Faenza team’s decline is relevant, especially as Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda fight for a promotion.
Daniel Ricciardo: I know this could be my last chance
For the first time since the opening two rounds, VCARB has failed to score points in consecutive races. As Williams, Haas, and even Alpine take steps forward, the Racing Bulls are stagnant.
The team did comparison work between their drivers at the Italian GP. Tsunoda ran the latest upgrades, whilst Ricciardo used the old-spec car.
Tsunoda’s feedback about the updates was extremely negative, with VCARB and even Helmut Marko confirming the new package failed to generate improvements.
This also has implications for Daniel Ricciardo, who finds himself in increasingly mediocre machinery.
Several factors will determine Red Bull’s future plans with the Australian. However, having a car capable of points could be what tips the scale for Ricciardo – especially as Red Bull formulate their plans for 2025:
“I appreciate that I don’t know if I’ve got one year left, five years left. So I’m treating it like it’s my last chance,” he told Goodwood.
“So I’m in a good place because I’m comfortable within myself, and I’m comfortable with the approach I’m taking and going all in.”
When asked about the possibility of becoming teammates with Max Verstappen for the second time, Ricciardo gave a candid response:
“Yeah. I’m not going to give a diplomatic answer. Of course, I would.
“I know I need to mean it. It’s not just going to be handed to me, but if I earned it and the chance was there, of course, I’d love to do it. So we’ll see.”
Red Bull must take a decision
Liam Lawsons’s future is now a common part of the F1 news cycle. The Kiwi is expected to join the grid with VCARB next year, but Red Bull are still evaluating their options.
Red Bull could make any number of decisions Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo’s future. However, the expectation is that at least one of these teams will make way for Lawson next year.
Considering Tsunoda’s consistently strong contributions at VCARB (not to mention his contract), his place on next year’s grid seems relatively safe.
Therefore, it becomes Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez who will compete to stay in the Red Bull set-up. Time will tell which driver emerges victorious.
