Should you really feel a little bit of whiplash maintaining with the continued hypothesis concerning Components 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, you aren’t alone.
Just a few weeks in the past Ricciardo confronted an unsure future, with Purple Bull senior advisor Dr. Helmut Marko hinting that Ricciardo could possibly be out of a seat on the finish of the season, if not sooner. However these experiences did a whole reversal lately when struggles from Sergio Pérez opened the door to the concept that as a substitute of shedding a seat at Visa Money App RB F1 Workforce, Ricciardo would return to the one he as soon as held at Purple Bull.
Within the interim all Ricciardo can do is drive, and attempt to put in strong performances every trip for VCARB. He did simply that Friday on the Hungarian Grand Prix with two strong observe periods. Ricciardo posted the Twelfth-fastest time in FP1 Friday and improved to eighth throughout FP2.
In all, the VCARB driver is “pleased” with how the day went.
“I’m very pleased with the place we ended as we speak by way of feeling of the automobile, stability, and clearly classification,” stated Ricciardo within the workforce’s post-practice media report. “I’m a lot happier now after FP2 in comparison with the place we had been this morning following FP1 as I felt we had a bit of labor to do after that session. FP2 was strong and we’re within the combat; I used to be fairly pleased and comfy with the automobile with each high and low gas.”
Nevertheless, issues had been a bit trickier on the opposite facet of the storage for Yuki Tsunoda. Whereas Tsunoda was eighth quickest in FP1, a suspension problem at the beginning of FP2 — mixed with a crimson flag introduced out by Charles Leclerc — impacted his session as he positioned nineteenth.
“Usually, it was an excellent day for us as a workforce and began properly in FP1. The disrupted FP2 on observe and points on my automobile meant our run plan barely modified within the afternoon, and whereas everybody was doing their future I struggled to have a clear lap,” stated Tsunoda. “Total, the workforce confirmed some sturdy efficiency, like within the first races, so the power is constructive.”
VCARB Racing Director Alan Permane described Friday as a “half-good” day for the workforce.
“It was a half-good day for our workforce. Sadly, Yuki’s automobile had an issue with the entrance suspension setup in FP2. We found out what the issue was, however we couldn’t repair it in time, so he actually didn’t have any type of FP2 this afternoon,” stated Permane. “On the opposite facet of the storage, Daniel was very pleased together with his automobile. It appears fast and aggressive, and we all know that’s the place Yuki ought to and can be tomorrow. Total, it’s been a barely irritating however primarily promising day.”
Nonetheless, to paraphrase Allen Iverson we’re simply speaking about observe, and as pleased as Ricciardo is, he is aware of there’s extra work to be completed.
And that Saturday is a brand new day on the Hungaroring.
“It’s simply observe however it was a type of good Fridays,” stated Ricciardo. “Tomorrow is a brand new day, we’ll make some finetunes tonight and maintain it rolling.”
