Formula 1 News: Ricciardo and Racing Bulls will come out fighting

Daniel Ricciardo said the Formula 1 world will have to take the renamed and revamped RB team (Racing Bulls S.p.A.- official ‘company’ name on FIA entry list) “more seriously” in 2024.

Ricciardo said the changes both inside and out have meant the team is now determined to be taking “more seriously”.

“How I feel about it is probably for the outside in, other teams or people who think that’s it’s just a Red Bull kind of junior team, it’s a way for everyone to take us more seriously,” he said.

“I think it’s a year where we feel like we kind of stand on our own two feet, and have some serious partners on board and I think that’s massively beneficial for us as a team.

“The structure has changed a lot, a lot of new personnel coming in, and we’re trying to really build something that’s going to fight obviously, we all hope for now, at the front of the midfield.”

Ricciardo reaffirmed the team’s intentions to be regular in Q3, something only achieved six times out of 22 races last year.

“We want to be fighting at the front of the midfield,” he said.

“So if we’re consistently a Q3 car, consistently getting points, top 10s and not just the odd race, maybe a sixth and then a 15th.

“I think because consistency then kind of really shows that you have an understanding of the car, and the team has a good grasp on it, and that can then help you go that step closer to the front.

“So consistency, that’s what I’m going for so far.”

The team’s fresh new-look hails back to the livery Toro Rosso used from 2017-2019 and Ricciardo likes it.

“From what I’ve seen, it’s cool. I think the overalls and all that, we look good, that’s cool,” he said. 

“And it’s a nice thing of course presentation, it’s a big thing for us.

“Performance is of course primary, and we’ll have to see how that goes on track. 

“But we’ve got the looking good part down, and hopefully, everyone else likes it too.”