Daniel Ricciardo says he's not allowing any negative thoughts or doubts to creep in about his ability, despite struggling to find his form in the opening three races of the 2024 season with the Visa Cash App RB team.
Ricciardo has yet to pick up any points so far this year, despite his RB team mate Yuki Tsunoda crossing the line in sixth place in Melbourne to secure the squad's first six points of the current campaign.
For many, it's worryingly reminiscent of Ricciardo's equally troubled time at McLaren which came to a premature end when the squad opted to let him go and replace him with fellow Australian Oscar Piastri.
But Ricciardo is determined not to allow things to go into a steep decline. He remains focussed on turning things around, and on keeping his hopes alive of making a return to the senior Red Bull team in place of Sergio Perez.
But those hopes are dwindling. Red Bull motorsport consultant Dr Helmut Marko stated that Ricciardo must find “something soon” to stay in the running, while even 1980 F1 champion Alan Jones suggested that Ricciardo was past his best.
“I came into [the Australian Grand Prix] really, honestly, deep down believing we were going to have a very, very good weekend,” Ricciardo told the media including Motorsport.com after last week's race, saying he wasn't paying any heed to detractors.
“I know that I’m on this little process or journey at the moment, and I just need to focus on myself," he continued. "If I let any of the noise in, it’s going to kind of distract me from the path I’m on.
"In terms of the noise, people tell me, in the media, like so and so said, and it’s the first I’ve heard. It’s obviously no disrespect to you guys," he insisted. "I haven’t let any of that maybe negative stuff creep in.”
“I also understand that I didn’t expect to start the season like this,” he added, recalling his solid return to full-time F1 duty last year, taking over from Nyck de Vries mid-season.
“Budapest last year, I drove the car a day before and out-qualified Yuki and had a really strong race with no knowledge," he said. This year he had the benefit of knowing the team and the car, and working with them in pre-season testing.
"I honestly thought that this year, we would start a lot stronger," he acknowledged. "I understand not only me but a few people are wondering why
"I think the important thing is that I stay on course. It’s not that my head is filled with nonsense or anything," he said. "I’m sure I’ll find a bit more in myself. I still believe maybe we’ll find a little something on the car."
“I honestly feel good," he stated. "Unfortunately the results haven’t made me feel awesome. But deep down behind the wheel, I do feel good and excited. I just want to keep racing.
Among those baffled by Ricciardo's latest slump in form is Nico Hulkenberg, who has led an impressive recovery by last year's wooden spoon winners Haas, who took a double points finish in last week's race.
"It doesn't really make sense and I don't understand it," Hulkenberg admitted when asked about Ricciardo's current problems. "In 2019 he was very competitive and on the pace.
"I don't know why. I think he’s still good, but back then he was stronger maybe," Hulkenberg added. "It's tricky to judge, especially from the outside, if you don't have all the info and all the data."
While Ricciardo's contract at RB extends to the end of the season, there has been talk that he might find himself replaced by Liam Lawson at some point if his form doesn't improve by the summer.
Lawson subbed for Ricciardo for five races last season after he injured his wrist in practice for the Hungarian GP and fared impressively throughout his short-notice promotion.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
