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Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says that he understands Daniel Ricciardo's frustration and has played down the comments he made after the Mexican Grand Prix.
Ricciardo suffered his eighth retirement of the year and dropped out when he was on course to claim his first podium finish since Monaco earlier this year. Ricciardo, who will leave Red Bull for Renault at the end of the year, stated that the car is cursed and Pierre Gasly can drive the remaining two rounds.
"He just had an immensely frustrating afternoon," the Red Bull team principal stated after the race. "You can understand his frustration and hope that this dark cloud that's following around lifts for the final two races."
Ricciardo was fending off former teammate Sebastian Vettel in the latter stages of the race. Horner believes that the issues Ricciardo had were similar to those Max Verstappen had during practice in Mexico.
"It's gutting not just for him but the whole team, because we were looking at potentially a one-two finish which has enormous value to us," added Horner. "So it feels a bittersweet victory. Fantastic for Max to have driven an outstanding race, an absolutely outstanding race, but I'm pretty confident Daniel that would have been able to hold off Sebastian [Vettel] over those remaining laps."
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (7)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It would actually not surprise me if Ric were to legit sit out the rest of the races. He seemed really frustrated as of late, citing that it didnt feel like anyone believed in him.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I don't think Ricciardo really has a say on whether he shows up or not. But I do believe he was serious when he said it.
Maybe it's my bias speaking, but I really don't get the feeling that Red Bull really felt pained for Daniel's retirements. I'm trying really hard not to be drawn into #tinfoil theories, but man, the more I hear them talk about it, the more I picture Helmut Marko smirking.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
He dont officially, but if he really dont wanna, I think they could solve it... At a cost, probably, but he aint exactly poor. I kinda get your drift, though. I do however wonder why Red Bull has had so many retirements compared to Renault and McLaren. Is it really down to running Mobil 1 and Esso instead of BP's stuff, in combination with a less PU friendly chassis, or is there more to it? Like some goblins sneaking around their garage, pinching a screw here, clogging an airduct there. Or maybe Abiteboul were so pissed at them that he hired an actual wish to curse them? (Hell yes, I have plenty of tinfoil hats to spare, and I need to advertise for them somehow, so I'd better get some weird theories going!).
FatMike
Posts: 153
well throwing your team (yet again) in front of the bus will probably not help either.
it is curious however how a top team can drop the ball on one of its drivers two years in a row. Yes the renault engine is crap and was the cause of a fair few DNF's but i cant help to think that some mechanical dnfs might have been avoidable.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
It doesn't hurt to steal another pole or two from Verstappen, if its even possible with a Renault PU, and not to mention, an actual F1 car is better than playing GT on PS4.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
For the upcoming races? Not unless it rains, maybe not even then. I only really expect the Ferrari and Merc' teams to do well at those tracks.
Norbert
Posts: 108
As far as stomping and chomping, it’s a bit of truth + wrestling showmanship which is all fine with me. But it does come down to numbers and odds that can’t be dismissed as bad luck. The best explanation I read was that winners attract more hard work and attention to detail on their behalf – the better work and parts will gravitate toward the perceived better driver? Maybe a bit true.
It was obviously devastating for him as Mexico was his race to win and mechanical failure rates are lower in the modern area so as to be conspicuous when they happen. A championship for him was still in the cards early on in the season. This was a bit of a face smush for sure, but lots of people still support Danny Ric.