Rivals will have to take the restructured RB Formula 1 team “more seriously,” according to Daniel Ricciardo. The squad was formerly known as Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri.
With Yuki Tsunoda joining Ricciardo, the team—which unveiled its new VCARB 01 in Las Vegas late on Thursday night—will continue to field its most seasoned lineup to date this season.
The Australian claimed that RB will become more autonomous as a result of the shift in emphasis from developing new drivers for the sister Red Bull team to welcoming significant US sponsors.
Regarding the relaunched organization, he stated, “My feeling is that it’s 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.”
We feel like we can kind of stand on our own two feet this year, and we have some really significant partners on board, in my opinion. And as a team, I believe that’s really advantageous.
“A lot of new players are joining, and the structure has changed significantly. We’re working hard to create a midfield that will, hopefully, compete at the front.”
With the car livery paying homage to the later Toro Rosso era, Ricciardo believes he likes the way the team is looking.
“It seems cool from what I’ve seen,” he stated. “I think it’s cool that we look good in the overalls and everything.” Naturally, the presentation is a major deal for us and a good thing.
Of course, performance comes first, and we’ll see if it continues on course. However, we’ve nailed the aesthetics, so maybe everyone else will agree.
When asked about goals for this year, Ricciardo stated that rather than experiencing the highs and lows of the previous year, the main goal will be to perform consistently across all circuit types.
He declared, “We want to be fighting at the front of the midfield.” “So if we’re a Q3 vehicle that scores points and places in the top 10 every time, rather than simply the occasional race where we finish sixth and then fifteenth.
“I think consistency helps you get that extra bit closer to the front because it kind of really demonstrates that you understand the car and the team has a good grasp on it.” Consequently, my current goal is consistency.
