F1 Spanish Grand Prix: Daniel Ricciardo and VCARB licking their wounds after ‘poor weekend’

So far as weekends go, this was one to neglect for Daniel Ricciardo and the complete Visa Money App RB F1 Crew.

Whereas VCARB arrived at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hopeful {that a} collection of upgrades to the RB01 would unlock further efficiency, from the opening laps of FP1 it was clear that they might be on the again foot. That continued into qualifying — which noticed Ricciardo and teammate Yuki Tsunoda eradicated in Q1 — and prolonged into the race itself. Each Ricciardo and Tsunoda completed exterior the factors, leaving VCARB to lick their wounds after their first points-less weekend for the reason that Chinese language Grand Prix again in April.

Crew Principal Laurent Mekies was blunt in his evaluation.

“We got here right here with excessive hopes for the upgrades that everybody again within the manufacturing unit has labored so onerous to design and produce as a part of our aggressive growth technique, started Mekies within the staff’s post-race report. “Sadly, proper from the beginning of Free Apply we had been missing tempo in each session.

“There isn’t a level denying this was a poor weekend for us and though the gaps had been very small, we’re not going to make excuses for the very fact we simply weren’t aggressive,” continued the VCARB boss. “Given our beginning positions, it will have required some uncommon circumstances – rain, a security automotive – however the race was fairly linear and whereas each drivers did their greatest, we depart Spain with nothing to indicate for our efforts.”

Tsunoda saved his evaluation brief and to the purpose.

“It was a tricky race, wherein I struggled. The dealing with of the automotive was positively not straightforward, and I didn’t really feel as comfy as I usually do,” described Tsunoda. “One thing wasn’t fairly proper, and we’ll analyse all the pieces that occurred to know what didn’t work effectively and are available again stronger in Austria.”

Photograph by Peter Fox/Getty Pictures

Ricciardo, usually the optimistic one within the staff’s storage, did his greatest to place a constructive spin on issues. The Australian driver managed to spotlight some vivid spots on a dismal day in Barcelona.

“It’s clearly disappointing ending in P15, however I’m pleased with my race and the way we managed it as a staff with the 2 stops. I feel yesterday I simply missed a contact in qualifying, however truthfully, at present I really feel like I [maximized] it with a great race,” described Ricciardo. “We managed the [tires] and pushed once we wanted to, so sadly, I feel we simply didn’t have extra to indicate this weekend. There’s definitely heaps to study from weekends like this.

“We take a number of little positives and some extra issues to work on as a result of we appear to be lacking one thing with the brand new bundle. It’s a fast turnaround, so we’ll work on it tonight, making an attempt to know extra in preparation for Austria subsequent week.”

The VCARB boss concluded with a little bit of a problem to the staff.

“Now, our complete group faces a stern check to attempt to make some progress within the only a few days obtainable till we’re again on monitor on the Purple Bull Ring,” stated Mekies. “It’s a really lengthy season, so there are sure to be some robust weekends. We simply should put this one behind us, we should not get downhearted however as an alternative, look forward and concentrate on preventing again instantly in a number of days’ time in Austria.”

Fortunately for the staff, they won’t have an excessive amount of time to lick these wounds, as Purple Bull Ring awaits.