Daniel Ricciardo on VCARB launch: I have confidence in myself and think fantastic things can happen

The Formula 1 world recently experienced its latest rebranding when the Visa Cash App RB team (formerly AlphaTauri) launched their 2024 F1 challenger, the VCARB 01.

On Friday, February 9th, the ‘junior’ Red Bulls Team introduced the VCARB 01 car at a special launch event in Las Vegas. Daniel Ricciardo, the team’s Australian driver, shared his personal insights during the launch event.

Daniel Ricciardo speaks on VCARB’s launch

In an exclusive interview for Racing News 365, Daniel Ricciardo, opened up on his preparations going into the 2024 F1 season. Subtly warning his rivals, he said “Coming into a full pre-season now, I have a lot of self-confidence in myself so I think some good things can happen”.

As for what he expects from himself, he added, “To get back on the podium for sure would be amazing, but if you say: ‘Oh you only have one podium this year, and the rest are 10th places, no, that is not what I want”.

“I would rather a whole lot of top fives, with no podium, and just show consistency towards the front, that is what I really want, a bit like my second year at Renault [in 2020], which people forget about now. That was a year I was really consistently in the top five, top six and a few podiums, and that is the level which I want to be able to produce again week in, week out”.

Emphasizing his preparations, he quoted, “I did two days last week [on the simulator] and I have another day next week after the filming day [at Misano on Monday]. It was good to get back in the car, I missed it, and even at this point in my career as well, maybe people think I just can’t be bothered with these things, but I am enjoying everything.”

“It is important for me to feel that in my heart, and it gives me the motivation to go out and do it to the best of my ability,” he told RN365.

Ricciardo, joined by Yuki Tsunoda, will be entering the F1 tracks with the VCARB 01 on February 21st for pre-season testing.

Daniel Ricciardo wants to focus at VCARB

In the interview, 34-year-old Daniel Ricciardo also revealed that his sole focus is on the task at hand with his current team. “I look at it in a way of not looking too far ahead. So I look at it, but I don’t because I really just need to focus,” he told RN.

He admitted that he’s taking things on a day-to-day basis. “Especially my years at McLaren… obviously, when it doesn’t go well, it can really unravel quickly, so I never want to get too far ahead of myself in this sport anymore,” he added.

From what it looks, Daniel Ricciardo is doing his best to keep his mind clear of the’2025 Red Bull seat’ thoughts. But the Aussie will surely be using his present VCARB stint as a launching pad to secure the Red Bull’s second seat, a.k.a. Sergio Perez’s seat, in 2025.

Do you think Ricciardo can challenge the other teams with the VCARB? Can he get the driving seat for Red Bull in 2025? Let us know your predictions in the comments.