RB Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has praised the side for the “composed” manner in handling the fallout from its team order row at last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
Yuki Tsunoda had been left disgruntled in the closing stages of the race when he was asked to let Ricciardo through to attack Kevin Magnussen’s Haas for 12th place.
Having shown an initial reluctance to abide by the team’s request, Tsunoda, who was on the Hard tyre, allowed his Soft-running team-mate through on the following lap.
The two drivers were at odds with the instruction, with Ricciardo stating it had been discussed prior to the race while Tsunoda underlined that he wanted clarification.
Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Ricciardo has revealed that the team discussed the incident behind closed doors and the problem has since been resolved.
Asked whether he had spoken with Tsunoda and if the team had cleared the air after the saga, Ricciardo said: “Yes, we did and it was important.
“I think the race situation is something that can happen, drivers never like team orders, so if a driver doesn’t react straight away it’s not it’s like the first time that has ever happened.
“That was all pretty clear, I think it was important for us to talk about that, also to be clear that even if it’s in the heat of the moment, things can have some bigger consequences.
“We talked personally, privately, doors closed, openly, transparently, so it was the right thing to do and we left on Saturday night feeling ‘it’s done!'”
Tsunoda had shown his frustration on the cooldown lap when he dived down Ricciardo’s inside at Turn 8, locked up and then also swerved into him on the exit.
Ricciardo admits that Tsunoda’s behaviour had surprised him, adding that he had to restrain himself from making further comments that would have been broadcast.
“I mean, it did,” Ricciardo answered when asked if he had been shocked by Tsunoda’s antics. “That’s why I came in on the radio saying, ‘What the hell is going on here?’
“I said a few things but I also had to stop myself, because I know everything get broadcasted and I knew it was something we would discuss once the helmet’s off and maybe the heart rate come down a little.
“But I think the team handled it really well after the race, in terms of getting us together, making sure that nothing was left on the table or there was no more.
“It was just, we left that room, feeling like there was no more any sides or feelings or that I got hard done by or there’s a bit of animosity, like none of that.
“So, you can’t have any of this. I think the team handled us very well after. It’s only race one, you cannot have any of this and I think the team handled us very well, afterwards.”
Ricciardo asserts that his eagerness for the situation to be sorted derived from wanting to ensure that the team avoided tension at a nascent stage of a record calendar.
“I’m also, let’s say old enough that I don’t necessarily need someone to put an arm around me and say, ‘I’m really sorry about that’,” he commented.
“But I’m looking at much more big picture, this is a team that is relatively new, in some respects. It’s a very long season, I just know that if you have these little rivalries from race one, it’s not going to help the team moving forward. So, it was more from that point of view, that was important for us to just deal with it, then and there and to clear the air.
“It was all very calmly spoken, there was no raised voices or anything. We just addressed it like, like adults.”
Along with a rebranded moniker, the Faenza-based squad also welcomed a new Team Principal in the form of Laurent Mekies, who replaced the retiring Franz Tost.
RB has also welcomed ex-Alpine Sporting Director Alan Permane, with Ricciardo impressed with the manner in which the new structure dealt with an internal issue.
“Honestly, I was curious to see how it was going to be dealt with, because it’s one of those ones where you don’t realize race car drivers are stubborn,” he acknowledged.
“Yes, we are stubborn, and sometimes we’re like, ‘Ah, screw this, I’m just walking away, and they’ll deal with it’.
“But I think the fact that we got brought into a room and just talked about it, and it was very calm, it was very composed, it wasn’t no pointing fingers. It was just, ‘Let’s talk about this’. So, we know that when we leave this room, we feel a lot better about it and know that we go to Saudi with absolutely no hangover or whatever from this little incident. So, that was good.
“Obviously, I knew we’d get asked questions about it. But honestly, since Saturday night haven’t talked any more about it.”
Pressed on how Mekies addressed the complication, Ricciardo added: “Very good. I feel the start of this, let’s say, Chapter Four has been really good.
“I really liked the way he’s been with us, open dialogue, but also just feel like you’re very inclusive with all members of the team. Very open to constructive criticism.
“Yes, not much BS. Even, I like to talk, so sometimes I might be dragging on a little bit. And he’s like, ‘mate, just get to the point’. He’s like, ‘What do you want to tell me?’ He’s like, ‘you don’t have to be nice, just say it.’ So, even this directness, l like.”
