RB driver Daniel Ricciardo is hoping that this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix can kickstart his Formula 1 season in the same manner it did whilst with Renault in 2019.
Ricciardo enters this weekend under pressure to deliver amid a tough start to 2024 that has seen team-mate Yuki Tsunoda outperform him in the opening four rounds.
However, the Australian has remained upbeat regarding his chances of turning his fortunes around as he embarks upon a venue where he has triumphed beforehand.
But aside from that win with Red Bull in 2018, Ricciardo also holds fond memories from his following visit to Shanghai as he bagged his maiden points with Renault.
With Ricciardo still waiting to get off the mark in the current campaign, the ex-McLaren racer has renewed enthusiasm that he can string together a positive weekend.
“I look back, there’s been a lot, obviously 2018’s a standout, but remember 2016, front row and led for a few laps and we got a puncture and whatever,” he reflected.
“It was a crazy race, but that was a good one. Anyway, I’m not going to go through all the races, but it was good.
“And then the last time we were here 2019, it was kind of the race that kickstarted everything with my Renault campaign. We struggled the first few races and then came here and kind of found something. And that was that was really positive, I think, from that race onwards for us.
“So, yeah, it’s kind of I’d love to replicate that five years later, because we’re not in a obviously on paper. Yeah, we’re not probably in a good place, but we’re not far off.
“Like, it’s not like we’re really struggling or missing something in particular. It’s just, I know it’s a little bit here and there, but definitely hasn’t taken any confidence away from me.
“And stand here, obviously not driving yet this weekend, but standing here very confident that I can get the job done.”
Ricciardo reduced his one-lap deficit to Tsunoda to 0.055 seconds at Suzuka, but his hopes in the race were curtailed following a crash with Alex Albon on the first lap.
But Ricciardo remains adamant that his current struggles are not a continuation of the woes he endured at McLaren as he endeavours to record a breakthrough result.
Asked whether it felt like a matter of time for things to click on the track this season, the eight-time F1 race winner answered: “Yeah, it does.
“It’s funny because I’m in year 14, I think, of this and it’s, you know, you say I’m learning every time and I’m like, well, I’m not a rookie, but it’s true.
“Like, it’s kind of the sad truth. Like, you’re always learning. And I say it’s sad truth, that’s also what makes the sport exciting, is that you’re constantly trying to find something all the time and you can find something. So it’s kind of that endless opportunity is exciting.
“Did I want to be learning this much coming into race five? Not really, but it’s still coming from a good place.
“It’s not coming from a place of, we’re really struggling and we’re really in a deep, dark hole and it’s going to be hard to get out of it. Not at all.
“Japan was, at least the Saturday was a short one, but it was, I think, definitely encouraging.
“So yeah, just got to get it done now. But do I fear anything or do I feel that I cannot? Absolutely not. I am supremely happy, well-rounded and confident.”
