Renault chief Cyril Abiteboul expresses disappointment over Ricciardo’s Australia performance

Of all the drivers that competed in the season-opener at Melbourne’s Albert Park, Daniel Ricciardo, it could be said endured the worst race. It doesn’t require any astronomical level of thinking as to why?

Not only did Daniel Ricciardo not finish the race, suffering from a broken front wing sustained during the opening lap skirmish, borne out of a move that wasn’t quite there, the Australian, actually failed to score in his home race event.

Isn’t it?

To that end, it’s not too hard to understand why of the many drivers who either finished outside of points or simply retired, Daniel’s performance hurt a lot.

And now, expressing discontent over the ever-smiling Aussie’s effort at the curtain raiser is none other than his own boss. Apparently, Cyril Abiteboul, the Renault Team Principal has expressed his ‘disappointment’ over the talented racing driver.

Making no bones of the fact that Daniel’s performance wasn’t quite what one had expected out of him, his team principal shared, “To be honest, I can’t say that Daniel gave what is expected out of him, from a driver who won races, at least after this weekend that was the first with us.”

That said, one wonders, whether the heavy criticism that is being leveled against Daniel is entirely justified. While it is no surprise that the Australian drivers haven’t quite managed any notable performances particularly on their home races and where Daniels’ concerned, then, from 2012 onward, the Aussie has either been disqualified or retired from the Australian Grands Prix events.

Yet, at the same time, it would be a bit unfair, truth be told, to judge the capable driver basis just one race. Isn’t it? You’d think that with 20 more races to go with Ricciardo, fiery and determined that he is, there is a good chance that one will get to see something special from the man decked in bright gold.

One would expect something ecstatic and thrilling such as the Chinese Grand Prix victory or Azerbaijan win that Ricciardo snatched, quite literally, out of nowhere. Isn’t it? So Daniel- are you listening in, mate? Time to get going.