Daniel Ricciardo crashes out of Japanese Grand Prix after hitting Alex Albon as Australia’s dismal Formula One season goes from bad to worse

Daniel Ricciardo’s season has gone from bad to worse after the criticized RB driver crashed at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Ricciardo, 34, collided with Alex Albon just after the first corner of the first lap of the race, causing him and the British driver to fall into the protective barriers.

The severity of the accident caused stewards to wave red flags and the race resumed once the disaster was cleared. None of the drivers were seriously injured.

Max Verstappen won the race and opined that Ricciardo was preoccupied with Lance Stroll to his left, meaning he failed to spot Albon to his right.

“You could see Daniel checking the left side,” Verstappen said. “He is quite unfortunate.”

The Australian’s season has not started after four weak first races

‘He [Albon] is in his blind spot,” added Sergio Pérez.

Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson said: “I think Ricciardo reacts to Stroll on his left side. That’s unfortunate. It wasn’t Albon’s fault or Ricciardo’s fault.

“Ricciardo is going down the line and three against one doesn’t work. It’s a racing incident and the wrong place and time for Albon.

“Ricciardo was looking to his left and was more concerned because a car was approaching on his left, so he was not aware of Albon’s presence,” added Bernie Collins.

Ricciardo, desperate to win back his seat at conquering Red Bull in 2025, has had a dismal start to the campaign.

The Australian has finished outside the points in all four races so far and has been overtaken by teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who finished tenth at his home Grand Prix.

Ahead of Sunday’s race, Ricciardo insisted he remained optimistic about the season ahead.

“It’s funny because, on paper, it hasn’t been good… and obviously I also know that the results haven’t been what I wanted,” he told reporters Thursday.

“But personally, the confidence and happiness and all that hasn’t really changed, so now it’s just a matter of getting a result and leaving some things alone.”

“Personally, I feel very good about where I am and that’s probably why it’s been a bit strange to understand why the result hasn’t happened yet.”

Ricciardo had to watch as his teammate Yuki Tsunoda scored points

‘It’s been three races, but I know I don’t need to change anything, it will come. It’s just a little bit here and there.

‘Whatever is maybe missing at the moment will fit, and I think that’s a weekend away.

“Even in Melbourne (at the Australian GP), where I was disappointed on paper with the weekend of course (after finishing 12th) and not scoring points, when we analyze the race, it wasn’t as sad as it probably looked. .

“We had good race pace, there are some good things we are addressing and we just need to fix them now.” And I will do that.

“I said I would do it in Melbourne and I fell short. But I’ll do it this weekend.”