Ricciardo takes fresh perspective into Bahrain F1 season opener

Daniel Ricciardo says he feels fully prepared for the next stage of his Formula One career ahead of the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo says he is fully prepared for a fresh chapter in his Formula 1 career. (Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)

Sporting the fresh white overalls of the newly-rebranded Visa CashApp RB F1 team, Ricciardo was beaming ahead of the first practice session of the season.

“At last, it’s time to go racing again," said Ricciardo.

"I can’t wait to be honest. In contrast to last year, this time it’s been good to have a proper pre-season."

"After 2022, I needed that time off, so it was great to jump in mid-season, but in terms of being fully prepared, this year has been a better way to get ready."

Ricciardo was remarkably candid, saying the time off for a broken wrist in 2023 had given him a fresh perspective on the sport.

"I’m putting a lot of focus into what is a second opportunity for me, but at the same time, it’s not putting pressure on myself."

"I’m hungry and motivated without any negative weight on my shoulders or stress attached to it, to interfere with my life."

Daniel Ricciardo talks to fans ahead of free practice in Bahrain. (Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)

The new RB team is an unknown on the 2024 grid, with team bosses eager to state they want to break away from the perception as a Red Bull sister team.

"It’s natural for a new car to be an improvement on the previous one, but what counts is where we stand compared to everyone else," said Ricciardo.

"Have we improved more than them or have they improved more than us? It does feel better, but you’re only as good as your competition lets you be."

"I’ve stayed in Bahrain since the test, and with the engineers we’ve spent a lot of hours studying all the data from the three days on track, so we know what we want to do as soon as we hit the track for free practice."

The Australian says he is naturally excited ahead of round one.

"Of course, there’s something special about the first race of the season."

"When you haven’t raced for a few months, it feels a bit more intense."

"You can spend time in the simulator driving the track, but you can’t practice racing intensely, wheel to wheel with 19 of the best guys in the world, and that makes for a pretty exciting feeling at the first race of the year.”

Watch every session of the 2024 Formula One season live in 4K on Kayo Sports.