Daniel Ricciardo ‘likes what’s happened’ after ‘fun’ change at Visa Cash App RB

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Daniel Ricciardo finds the change in mentality at Visa Cash App RB ‘fun’ and ‘cool’ as they are no longer just the junior Red Bull team after scrapping the AlphaTauri name.

The Faenza outfit competed as AlphaTauri between 2020 and 2023 as Red Bull GmbH tried to promote its closing brand. But the parent company of Red Bull Racing rebranded its other F1 team for 2024 after sealing sponsorship deals with payment services Visa and Cash App.

Having a new name is not the only change in Faenza, either, as Laurent Mekies has replaced Franz Tost as the team principal. Visa Cash App RB also retained Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda to put two experienced Formula 1 drivers behind the wheel of their VCARB 01 car this year.

Daniel Ricciardo relishes the ‘fun’ and ‘cool’ mentality shift at Visa Cash App RB

Tsunoda is entering his fourth season in Formula 1 having debuted with AlphaTauri in 2021. While Ricciardo returned to Faenza last year having started the season as Red Bull’s reserve driver. This year will be the 34-year-old’s 14th season in Formula 1 having debuted in 2011.

Ricciardo broke into the pinnacle of motorsport with HRT midway through the 2011 season before joining Toro Rosso, who became AlphaTauri in 2020. The Australian spent two years in Faenza before graduating to Red Bull from 2014 until 2018 and winning seven Grand Prix.

Two years with Renault, now operating in F1 as Alpine, returned two of Ricciardo’s 32 career podiums. While a move to McLaren in 2021 led Ricciardo to ending the Woking outfit’s wait for a race win. He won the 2021 Italian GP in McLaren’s first win since the 2012 Brazilian GP.

Visa Cash App RB are ‘no longer just a platform’ for Red Bull Racing in 2024

Having two experienced drivers behind the wheel marks a move in a new direction for Visa Cash App RB compared to the team’s time as Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri. The Faenza squad have served as Red Bull’s junior team since the energy drinks giant bought Minardi in 2005.

Ricciardo is relishing the new mentality at Visa Cash App RB as he feels the team can stand alone from Red Bull now. The Perth native further feels the Faenza outfit can look to move to the front of the midfield. AlphaTauri finished 2023 just eighth in the constructors’ standings.

“There are a lot of new personnel [and] some big partners coming onboard,” Ricciardo has told the official F1 website. “The team has always taken itself seriously but I feel like this is another step up. It’s no longer just a platform for Red Bull Racing.

“It’s a time for us to fight at the front of the midfield. I like what’s happened, the changes that have taken place. There’s something about the team, the mindset is a bit different, kind of like a point to prove. It’s cool. It’s fun.”