VCARB team boss Laurent Mekies believes the Faenza-based outfit is lucky to have in its line-up such an “incredible asset” as Daniel Ricciardo.
Ricciardo's credentials are undeniable. Before his struggles, the Aussie was a force to be reckoned with and a top contender for the F1 world championship with Red Bull Racing, a team with which he claimed seven of his eight wins in the sport.
However, successive stints at Renault and McLaren proved challenging. Outperformed at team papaya by talented hopeful Lando Norris, Ricciardo left the Woking-based outfit at the end of 2022.
Picked up once again by Red Bull and assigned a reserve driver role with the team, the Aussie returned to the fray last summer when he replaced at AlphaTauri a struggling Nyck de Vries.
However, a mishap in practice at the Dutch Grand Prix resulted in a broken hand, which placed him once again on the sidelines for several races.
But a standout performance in Mexico last October, where he qualified fourth, hinted at his potential and convinced Red Bull to keep the 34-year-old onboard at AlphaTauri for 2024.
Mekies, who has succeeded retired F1 team manager Franz Tost at the helm of the rebranded Red Bull sister outfit, believes Ricciardo has the bite to return to his top form.
“He’s an incredible asset for the team,” Mekies told F1.com at the launch of VCARB’s 2024 car.
“There are not many drivers in the field with his sort of pedigree, that many race wins, with that sensibility for the car, with that spirit for our people.
“If you have a large group of people that is just motivated a bit more because of all the energy a driver can convey, it makes a difference.
“It’s hidden lap time, not one you can see on your tracker on the wall. It makes a difference. It’s great to have him on board in terms of speed, spirit and car development.
“He was on everyone’s top list until a couple of years ago. Then obviously he had a rough patch. We’re lucky to be the ones to rebuild with him from that.
“There is no reason why Daniel is not on the same trajectory as the one that was putting him on those top lists a few years ago.
“He has from that era gained experience and a lot of learning about how to manage his energy. I see him very hungry, extremely motivated, extremely focused.”
After enthusing over Ricciardo’s qualities, Mekies explained why he was equally “very impressed” with Yuki Tsunoda.
“Ultimately he has proven, month after month, season after season that his speed is incredible,” commented the Frenchman. “He’s had quite a few team-mates now and all the time the speed kept building up.
“If you combine that with his integration with the team, his technical understanding that is growing, you have a very strong package. He’s a hard worker, he’s living in Faenza, he comes to the factory extremely often.
“He has an incredible natural speed, so the combination with Daniel in terms of pushing each other makes it a very strong line-up.”
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