Daniel Ricciardo F1 News: RB driver shares DRASTIC off-track changes after F1 struggles

Daniel Ricciardo, VCARB, Visa, RB, Japan, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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Ricciardo shares DRASTIC off-track changes after F1 struggles

Daniel Ricciardo has opened up on his recent F1 struggles

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Wednesday 12 June 2024 04:00

Daniel Ricciardo has detailed a transformation to his off-track preparation during F1 weekends.

The Australian returned to the sport last season after some time away due to a drop in his performance.

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However, Ricciardo has continued to perform poorly this season compared to his team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who has consistently achieved points finishes for VCARB.

The 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve launched a brutal critique of the RB driver during Sky Sports' 'The F1 Show' in Canada, questioning why Ricciardo was still in the sport.

Ricciardo has been eclipsed by Tsunoda thus far in 2024

Villeneuve has been openly critical of Ricciardo

Ricciardo responds to Villeneuve criticism

"I was always looking at the on-track stuff, 'I can brake later here, or do this and that,'" Ricciardo said.

"But it was like OK, what are some other things that are affecting my performances?

"'Am I coming into a race weekend not feeling energised or not feeling this or that?' So I probably had a good bit of self-therapy after Monaco.”

The Australian revealed a new approach to his struggles, focusing on what has been impacting his performance off-track.

Ricciardo has undergone 'self-therapy' after Monaco

"I sat back and had a look at maybe the things I am doing wrong away from the track, maybe giving too much time away to people and by the time I get to race day, I'm a little bit more flat.”

"After Monaco, because it was a weekend where I was a bit down emotionally after not doing well on a track I love, with everyone around me, the team, engineers, the inner circle, it was like: 'guys, open book, constructive criticism, give it to me, where do you think I could clean up, where do feel I am maybe missing something?'

"A lot of it was energy management across the weekend, so it is not even what I am doing in the car. It is just what gets me into the car feeling like I am f***ing ready to go.”

Daniel Ricciardo F1 Yuki Tsunoda Jacques Villeneuve