Jolyon Palmer admits 34-year-old driver had ‘weekend to forget’ in Saudi Arabia

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Jolyon Palmer was left very disappointed by Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

After such a promising showing in pre-season testing, the newly-named Italian outfit have failed to come close to scoring a point this season.

Speaking on commentary on Channel 4, Palmer was unconvinced by the 34-year-old who had an awful end to an underwhelming weekend.

Palmer unimpressed by Ricciardo during Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Heading into the 2024 season, there was a lot of excitement surrounding RB.

Ted Kravitz tipped the Australian to challenge for podiums, but he’s struggled during the opening pair of races.

He was behind Yuki Tsunoda in Bahrain and the Japanese driver made his feelings clear when he was told to let him through.

The 23-year-old has been the quicker of the two drivers so far this season, denting Daniel Ricciardo’s hopes of earning a promotion to the Red Bull team, especially with Sergio Perez achieving back-to-back second-place finishes.

Palmer was left wanting more from Ricciardo in Saudi Arabia especially after a late spin summed up his weekend.

He will know he needs to improve his performance quickly to keep himself in the conversation for a seat on the grid next year.

Many would have expected Tsunoda to be the man under pressure from Liam Lawson who is patiently waiting for his chance.

However, it might be the more experienced Australian who is starting to feel the heat.

Ricciardo suffers a stuttering start to 2024 season

Covering the race for Channel 4, Palmer said after his late spin: “Mounting an apex curve, rear tyres that were probably on the limit already, he is having a weekend to forget Daniel Ricciardo.

“You could easily forget that he’s been at the race here today and Bottas further back, the two of them have been running around at the back all Grand Prix really.

“Zhou [is] now behind them with that long pit stop, but Daniel Ricciardo [was] overshadowed pretty majorly by Yuki Tsunoda this weekend.

“Yuki up into Q3, was fighting with Kevin Magnussen in the midfield scramble for a look at a point, but Daniel’s never quite looked hooked up here.”

Palmer echoed the words of fellow commentator David Croft who suggested Ricciardo had a ‘frustrating’ race in Saudi Arabia.

He failed to hook up the car in practice leading into the race and was in no position to work his way through the trail of cars stuck behind Kevin Magnussen.

Ricciardo will hope that he has a better time during his home race in Melbourne in two weeks.