Ricciardo admits his place is at risk
DANIEL Ricciardo said he has been assured by Red Bull that he is not set to lose his seat – but admitted if he continues to get his “arse whooped” he does not deserve to be in Formula One.
Following a troubled start to his first full season back on the grid, Ricciardo, 34, arrived for tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix as a driver under pressure.
Ricciardo was handed a reprieve by Red Bull’s junior outfit, RB, midway through last season, after he was dumped by McLaren.
But he has failed to get up to speed in 2024, out-qualified by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda at every event, and without a point to his name.
He also crashed out on the first lap in Japan a fortnight ago, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner – integral in bringing him back into the fold – said in Shanghai that Ricciardo has “under-performed” so far this season.
It has even been suggested that a failure to turn his troubling form around could see Ricciardo replaced by Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson as early as the next race in Miami.
But Ricciardo said: “Everybody in the team is shutting that down. The black and white, is that I have a contract. However, I have to earn my spot. I don’t want these results to continue for a year, and for me to say: ‘well I should be here because it is on paper’. I am not going to be happy with that. At the end of the day, if I am getting my arse whooped I don’t deserve to be here.
“I want to get back to a place where I know I can be, and I feel confident I can get there. I am aware I have to get the results. But from my side, I am not a rookie trying to prove something or to establish myself. I do have a history in this sport. I do have a track record that says I can win.
“But if we get to December and I have not been able to extract that then maybe I will be like, ‘fine I am done with this’ or ‘I am not good enough’, but I certainly don’t feel like that in my heart.”
Ricciardo will start today’s sprint race 14th after a rainaffected qualifying which saw Tsunoda down in 19th and Lando Norris on pole ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
In treacherous conditions in Shanghai, Norris tip-toed his McLaren to top spot, finishing 1.2 seconds clear of Hamilton in an all-British front row for today’s 19-lap dash.
For a moment Hamilton, who has endured his worst start to a season, looked to have taken a surprise pole when Norris’ best lap was chalked off for exceeding track limits at the final corner. But the stewards U-turned on their decision after it became evident the 23-yearold had not gained an advantage as he scrambled for grip while gearing up for his pole lap.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was third, one position ahead of Max Verstappen who struggled in the conditions in his all-conquering Red Bull.
“It was wild,” said Norris. “You always know it is going to be in a session like this.
“You only have three laps. The first two I aborted so that last lap was all or nothing. I was nervous because I made a few mistakes, but you have to risk a lot and push and I was quick.”