Daniel Ricciardo has tempered expectations surrounding the RB Formula 1 team’s prospects in 2024, despite an encouraging pre-season test for the newly rebranded squad.
Along with a revised name and an overhauled management structure, RB has been tipped to thrive this season amid its tightened alliance with Champions Red Bull.
The Faenza-based camp utilised adopting Red Bull’s rear suspension to become a consistent points scorer and climb to eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Heading into the campaign, Ricciardo, who replaced Nyck de Vries midway through last year, made the bullish claim that RB can target “top five results” from the outset.
RB delivered some strong pace across the sole three-day pre-season test in Bahrain, with Ricciardo in the ballpark of both McLaren’s Lando Norris and the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc on the second afternoon.
However, the Australian contends that RB has yet to break clear of the midfield group and insists the side has work to do to fulfil the goals it has set out to achieve in 2024.
“Start of the season, we need to be a little bit cautious,” Ricciardo warned.
“The target as the season goes on is the front of the midfield. But I would say now where we are, it’s probably more in the midfield.
“I’m not sure yet at the front. But that is certainly our target. I know some people are quite excited about us coming into the season, but I want to play it a little bit cautious.
“We have a decent car, but we still have a lot of work to do, and the numbers we brought for the test, we believe there’s still some things to find.”
Ricciardo believes that the expectation the VCARB 01 would be a replica of the all-conquering Red Bull RB19 from 2023 also created unrealistic suppositions on RB.
“I would say I think people definitely got excited from let’s say, from the outside,” he acknowledged. “A lot of fans were excited. I think they thought we were going to be a different version of another car from the past [Red Bull’s RB19]. But it’s not that.
“I think it was because it was just sort of exciting that it was going to be but no, it’s certainly not. But I think we’re trying to make the most of what we’ve got.”
The ex-McLaren driver also outlined that RB’s improvement will appear less drastic compared to its rivals as the team sought to develop its predecessor to the final race.
“I think we’ve definitely developed the car from last year. It’s hard because we brought updates in Abu Dhabi so we’re comparing it to a car with fresh updates,” he added.
“If we’d compared it to the car at the race before Abu Dhabi, then it looks like we made the bigger step and it’s just an evolution.
“Some games here and there but still, I think if we want to be sure there’s lots of Q3s and top 10s, I think that’s certainly still going to be a bit to find.”
When asked after his time behind the wheel at testing in Bahrain came to an end whether he was satisfied with RB’s progress, Ricciardo replied: “I’m in between. But this is just how I approach testing.
“Even if you see Sainz first today or something, there’s so many questions. Is it fuel? Is it engine? What time of the day? So you just never know.
“I think regardless of where we are on the time sheets, I think I’m just staying somewhere in the middle.
“I’m aware we’re not going to be probably a pole position next week. But I like to think we’re still in that midfield hunt.
“Obviously for us to start the season, if could find ourself in Q3 and points on a Sunday that’s a good start to the year.
“Whether we’ll get it or not next week, time will tell.
“But I think that’s the start and then as the season goes on, as we learn a bit more about the car and working together with a lot of new personnel, I think that’s where we can start to push the bar a little more.”
