Gian Carlo Minardi struggling to understand ‘complex’ issues 34-year-old F1 star is facing

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Gian Carlo Minardi knows a thing or two about Formula 1 after founding a team in 1985 that still competes today.

It’s changed names plenty of times and currently exists as Visa Cash App RB after evolving over the past few decades.

Speaking on NewsF1.it’s YouTube channel, Minardi was reflecting on two drivers who are having very different starts to the 2024 season.

The Italian media have a vested interest in several teams on the grid right now.

Ferrari are always under the most scrutiny and while they continue to improve this year, they’re still second-best to Red Bull right now.

They also examine Lewis Hamilton’s performances very closely ahead of his move to the Tifosi in 2025.

The other Italian-based team is Minardi’s old outfit RB and he’s been talking about Daniel Ricciardo’s recent struggles.

The 34-year-old has yet to score a point this season and has been outclassed by teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

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

Gian Carlo Minardi concerned by Daniel Ricciardo’s performances this season

The aim for Visa Cash App RB this season was to improve on their 8^th-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship in 2023.

Their line-up of Ricciardo and Tsunoda is one of the strongest in the bottom half of the grid right now and currently, they’re the best of the rest below the top five teams.

While they might have hoped to close the gap to Aston Martin over the winter, instead they’re putting themselves in a position to capitalise every time a space opens up in the top ten.

Unfortunately for Daniel Ricciardo, it’s been Tsunoda who has scored every point for V-CARB this year and Minardi has admitted he’s struggling to understand what’s going wrong for the Australian.

His place on the grid is under threat ahead of the 2025 season with reserve driver Liam Lawson waiting in the wings.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Visa Cash App RB F1 Team from team principal to Red Bull relationship

Tsunoda earns 8/10 rating amid Ricciardo’s struggles

Talking about the RB drivers, Gian Carlo Minardi said: “Look, [Daniel] Ricciardo is in doubt as he is not respecting what Red Bull but also Racing Bulls [RB] are expecting from him.

“[Yuki] Tsunoda is doing great things and he was unlucky on two or three occasions due to technical issues but he took home a tenth place, he is the first after the five top teams but it will not be easy to maintain this sixth place in the world championship.

“But he is putting his best effort into it and it is clear that V-CARB also needs the second driver because, with only one point at a time you can’t go very far, it doesn’t take much to lose the advantage you have.

“Honestly, I struggle to give an opinion on Ricciardo because in reality since he came back there was also the accident where he hurt his wrist.

“Certainly, he was on track, he was fighting with Tsunoda. Tsunoda, at the moment for me gets an eight [out of ten] as a rating, but I struggle to give Ricciardo a concrete value.

“As an external observer, the problem is much bigger than injuries, it’s a much more complex thing.”

Daniel Ricciardo has work to do to secure 2025 seat

At the start of the season, Daniel Ricciardo was hoping to earn a promotion from Minardi’s old team to once again drive for Red Bull.

Unfortunately for him, his form has likely ruled him out of that move, meaning his best option is to remain at RB.

With Liam Lawson looming in the background, it could be a straight fight between Tsunoda and Ricciardo to join him.

The Japanese driver is in pole position right now, but it’s still very early in the season.

With other teams also considering their options in the driver’s market, Ricciardo may end up having to look outside the Red Bull group to continue his Formula 1 journey.