Daniel Ricciardo has insisted that he wants to sample RB’s latest Formula 1 updates before issuing his verdict amid Yuki Tsunoda’s frank assessment of the changes.
RB introduced a comprehensive upgrade package to the Italian Grand Prix as it endeavoured to retrieve the competitiveness that it possessed earlier in the campaign.
The Faenza-based squad was a regular points scorer up until developments in Spain introduced unintended characteristics which made it abandon several new parts.
But Ricciardo, who was using the old-spec VCARB 01, wants to trial the upgrades on his car in Baku this weekend before he passes his own opinion on the alterations.
“Unless the team see some strong negatives, the plan is to still run them in Baku,” Ricciardo, who trailed home in 13th, explained post-race.
“I think sometimes what you can’t predict is on track, it might produce more load, but maybe it shifts the balance and setting up the car is trickier.
“Maybe that is what we just didn’t get quite right to exploit all of the grip, but it is hard for me to speak on.
“I want to believe it can still be good, because obviously the last one wasn’t too good for us.
“I’d like to think this one is better but obviously only Yuki has the experience with it and he was vocal about having a tough weekend, so we will see.
“It is something I would definitely like to try and give at least a session and have a feel for it before maybe saying it is not the one.”
Ricciardo has also pondered whether Monza’s unique low downforce demands and the new asphalt contributed to RB’s struggles to unlock the sweet spot on set-up.
“We obviously have reason to believe it is better, but I haven’t driven it, so I can’t say if it is better or not, but it has been tricky,” the Australian added.
“I think a combination of low downforce and a new asphalt means it is quite peaky to find the grip and put laps together.”
RB’s continued woes with updates mean it heads into the remaining eight rounds looking over at its shoulders with Haas six points behind in the battle to come sixth.
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