Daniel Ricciardo expecting to run part in Baku that made Yuki Tsunoda ‘extremely unhappy’

Follow us on Google Discover

Daniel Ricciardo expects Visa CashApp RB to run new parts on his car over the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, having previously put them on Yuki Tsunoda’s at Monza.

Yuki Tsunoda struggled during the Italian GP weekend as RB failed to break into the points-scoring positions with both cars, while the Japanese driver was forced to retire due to extensive floor damage after a collision with Nico Hulkenberg.

It was the third retirement in five races at Monza after Tsunoda failed to start on two other occasions, while Helmut Marko said he was ‘extremely unhappy’ with the upgrades fitted to his car.

RB came to Monza with an extensive upgrade package to their floor and were planning on doing a back-to-back test between Tsunoda (new) and Daniel Ricciardo who ran the older parts, but that ended up not happening due to the former’s early exit.

Now Ricciardo has confirmed the team’s plans for the upcoming race at Azerbaijan, as he looks for a strong result in the second half of the season.

Daniel Ricciardo to run new floor at Baku

Ricciardo has struggled this year to get the right setup window in his RB, which is partially the reason why he has not been able to score points.

Despite Tsunoda’s remarks over the Italian GP weekend, the team will press on with its tests using his car this weekend.

“The plan is, unless they see some strong negatives, the plan is still to run them in Baku. Sometimes what you can’t predict is, on track, it might produce more load, but maybe it shifts the balance,” said Ricciardo.

“So maybe setting the car up is trickier and maybe that’s what it was; maybe that we didn’t just quite get the setup right to kind of exploit all the grip.”

RB set to announce plans for 2025 driver lineup

Ricciardo faces questions over his future at the team after Marko recently said the team will announce its plans for Liam Lawson in September.

Ted Kravitz believes Ricciardo and Lawson could learn their fate before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, even though any switch will not be made until the winter.

READ MORE: Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Tsunoda has a contract with RB through the 2025 season having been secured with them earlier in the season on a one-year deal.

Only Sauber has the other remaining seat on the grid, meaning there are limited options for Ricciardo should they decide to go with Lawson for 2025.