“I think it’s good to have that as a goal for both of us, it’s natural,” Ricciardo said on the eve of F1’s 2024 season-opener in Bahrain.
“It’s nice for it to be somewhere towards the back of our head. But I think on a positive, that will bring out the best competitors in us and hopefully drive each other a little bit further.
“But am I lining up on the grid, thinking about ‘Oh, if I have a good race, I’m going to be in that seat’? No.
“It’s there as a goal. But it’s not there as my focus.”
Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Following half a year on the sidelines, Ricciardo endured a stop-start F1 return with the Anglo-Italian squad in 2023 after fracturing his wrist during practice for the Dutch Grand Prix.
Having now had the benefit of a smooth off-season to gear up for his first full-time campaign since 2022, Ricciardo feels much better prepared as you can’t “cheat it and just jump in halfway through the season and think that you’re going to be 100%.”
“I come into [the season] with the acknowledgement of: ‘As quickly as I’m back, as quickly it can get taken away’,” he explained.
“I got asked before what my thoughts are on trying to get back to the Red Bull seat and I kind of refuse to look too far down the track.
“We’re here, there’s a job to do at the start of the season. Thinking anything beyond this week is kind of crazy.
“And I think sitting out and losing a seat has given me that little bit of perspective so you’re not getting too…
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