Daniel Ricciardo determined to improve in 2018

  • Published on 14 Dec 2017 09:29
  • comments 3
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Daniel Ricciardo says he is determined to improve in 2018. The Australian remains highly rated, and is wanted by Red Bull for a new contract in 2019 even though he is sniffing around the other top teams.

However, Max Verstappen has already been signed up for the future and the Dutchman won two races last year compared to Ricciardo's one. Ricciardo also admits that his former qualifying strength needs work for 2018. "In the past often I didn't attack as much in the race and I performed much better in qualifying," he told the Russian publication Sport Express.


"But this season everything changed, and Saturdays weren't the best for me. I feel like I am still constantly progressing on Sundays, but qualifying for me stabilised this year. I would not call it a step back but I'll work on it for next year. After all, you can always improve something," said Ricciardo.

Meanwhile, Ricciardo admitted that while he feels bad for Daniil Kvyat, who has been ousted by Red Bull, he hailed the Russian's replacement at Toro Rosso, Brendon Hartley. "I think in Brendon's case, the decisive factor was perseverance," he said.

"He was in the Red Bull family and left, and after that he was in different series, including retro cars. He was always trying to punch his way back. He was constantly calling, harassing different people -- 'Give me a chance, let me drive'. And in the end with the results, it began to work out."

"He did everything himself -- he doesn't have a rich family or anything. He created opportunities for himself, and Red Bull appreciated that and gave him a second chance. I think he's much more mature now and is able to cope with the pressure," Ricciardo added.

Finally, Ricciardo was asked about Sergey Sirotkin, the well-funded Russian driver who appears to have been selected above Robert Kubica for the Williams seat. "I don't know him much," Ricciardo said. "We talked a bit at the driver briefings and he made an positive impression, but as a driver I don't know him enough yet." (GMM)

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Im not a fan of Red Bull, but props to them for putting two competitive drivers in their main team at the same time.

    • + 0
    • Dec 14 2017 - 22:08
    • boudy

      Posts: 1,168

      I do like redbull and like the way that they present themselves. However I don't know what would happen if they found themselves with a driver leading the championship would they continue with sharing the support or would they support the no1 driver more?

      • + 0
      • Dec 15 2017 - 01:17
    • I just dont stand Horner or Marko most of the time, and I dont like the way they can just toss aside a driver when they are done with it. We will have to see. But judging from how things are as of present they would most certainly favour one driver over the other. But still, they do at least have two competitive drivers.

      • + 0
      • Dec 15 2017 - 08:20

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Visa Cash App RB
  • Points 1,061
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar