Daniel Ricciardo Bets on China to Bring back Honey Badger Form

The Honey Badger, who is always smiling no matter what seems to have lost his million-dollar smile recently as the pressure of performance builds up. But Daniel Ricciardo is confident that China will bring him back the form that is lost at the moment. But why China? What’s so special about this GP?

Daniel Ricciardo replaced Nyck De Vries mid-season last year and now faces the same situation. Rumors suggest that Helmut Marko has given Ricciardo an ultimatum to improve by the Chinese GP, so this could be like the final fight for the Australian. The good thing is that it’s the track that has been a good hunting ground for him.

Daniel Ricciardo won the 2018 Chinese GP with Red Bull before moving away from the team and joining Renault in 2019. Ricciardo now expects a repeat from this Chinese GP to put him back on track with Visa Cash App RB. 

According to Speedcafe, speaking before the Chinese GP, Ricciardo said, “I am coming into every weekend still very positive and confident that I can do it. I definitely still have a lot of confidence that I can.” Ricciardo then talked about how China has always been a happy hunting ground for him, and how during his Renault days he struggled in Australia and Bahrain but got it rolling in China. He added, “I think it’s a good time to come back here because I’m looking for that little bit of a kickstart. Of course, the past has gone, there’s no guarantees or anything, but it is a place where I feel I can get things going.”

But that’s not all. To help Daniel Ricciardo get his form back, RB is willing to provide him with a new chassis, to clear any doubts that the Australian might have in his mind. 

Daniel Ricciardo gets a New Chassis for the Chinese GP

During the Japanese GP weekend, Daniel Ricciardo revealed that he will be getting a new chassis for the Chinese GP. Even Laurent Mekies suggested that if a driver has any doubts in their mind, it’s always better to sort it out and give them what they ask for. Hence, even if there was nothing wrong with the old chassis, it’ll be a psychological boost for the Australian driver.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Ricciardo said, “Obviously, I’ve been quite vocal about it, because I’ve been struggling a bit this year. But I think also to be clear that it was always the plan to introduce that chassis here, but I was just putting my hand up that whenever it’s ready, I’ll take it. We haven’t found anything wrong with what I had. Sometimes it’s if these things might be visible, might not. Maybe it’s just to clear my mind and have it; regardless, even if I had my old chassis, it doesn’t change my approach to the weekend.”

Do you think Daniel Ricciardo will find his form back at the Chinese GP and score his first points of the season?