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Ricciardo realistic new F1 season

Can Visa Cash App RB compete at the top? Ricciardo remains realistic

22 February at 08:37
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Ricciardo replaced Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri last season, and is driving for Red Bull Racing's subsidiary team again this season. That team is now called Visa Cash App RB. The good-humoured Australian is in the paddock in Bahrain and gives his expectations for the new season.

Asked if Ricciardo's team can fight for spots at the front, Ricciardo replied decisively. "I would love to say yes. But the truth is we're trying to certainly build something right now." Still, it will be a bit of a test in Visa Cash App RB's first year, he explains. "I think this is a year where the team really tries to establish themselves and kind of stand on their own two feet. Then try to establish a fight towards the front of the midfield."

Ricciardo: 'more wish than reality'

"Wins and podiums are a little bit of a wish at the moment more than a reality. But as the year goes on, I think we will progress and hopefully keep getting closer and closer to the front," concludes Max Verstappen's former teammate.

Last season, the Hungarian Grand Prix was where Ricciardo made his comeback. After not being in a Formula One car for a long time, the driver returned. Ricciardo said ahead of the new season that making Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko smile is on his 'to-do list'.