Daniel Ricciardo promises to turn Formula One season around ahead of Japanese Grand Prix as Australian bids to kickstart his campaign to win Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat

Daniel Ricciardo has vowed to turn his season around after a torrid start to 2024 that has left him without a single point in the first three races.

Heading into the season, the Australian was being touted as a leading contender to take Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull for 2025. That move would complete a notable return to the team for which Ricciardo took all but one of his eight wins. in Grand Prix. for between 2014 and 2018.

There was also a renewed sense of optimism for the RB driver given the appointment of Laurent Mekies as team principal, which saw the 34-year-old join forces once again with the man who oversaw the start of his F1 career. at Red Bull’s sister team, Toro Rosso. (now RB) more than a decade ago.

But having been consistently outperformed by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who enters this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka as the home favourite, there have been suggestions so far this season that Ricciardo could be replaced at RB. unless there is a marked change. Improved performance in upcoming races.

“This year we changed a lot of things with the team,” Ricciardo told fans at an event in Tokyo. ‘Laurent Mekies has been a big part of that change.

‘Bringing change to any environment can be very encouraging or beneficial because you have different ideas and perspectives.

“It’s a little bit of new motivation, new energy, but it also brings a lot of experience.” He has also been in the sport for a long time. “When I first joined Toro Rosso, more than 10 years ago, Laurent was on the team, so we have already worked together.”

And he added: “I feel very happy working alongside him and now I just want to score some points and take the team further up the grid.”