F1: Daniel Ricciardo fighting to save career at Japan GP

A former world champion says Daniel Ricciardo has a chance to prove he remains a “great driver” after rain and team orders conspired to put the embattled Australian F1 star further behind in his fight to save his career.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 05: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on April 05, 2024 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

Former world champion Damon Hill says Daniel Ricciardo has a chance to prove he remains a “great driver” after rain and team orders conspired to put the embattled Australian F1 star further behind in his fight to save his career.

Ricciardo confirmed before the Japanese Grand Prix he had asked his RB team to investigate chassis issues in his car before passing judgment on his ability with his future under increasing speculation.

Ricciardo desperately needs every lap and driving data he can gather after a tough start to the F1 season, but the team opted to give local Japanese rookie Ayumu Iwasa the chance to use his car in the first practice session at his home grand prix at Suzuka.

The problem for Ricciardo was by the time the second practice session began, the rain started falling and in a frustrating hour drivers had to switch to intermediate tyres while many opted just to wipe the session altogether as just seven cars posted lap times.

Daniel Ricciardo prepares to drive during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan. Picture: Getty Images

Ricciardo completed just nine laps on intermediate tyres and while he was fifth fastest in 1:41.913, he was still behind RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda (4th, 1:40.946) as McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (1:34.725) broke local hearts as one of three drivers to top Tsunoda late in the session on soft tyres.

But all eyes and sympathy is towards Ricciardo who is fighting for his career at a track he missed last year due to a broken wrist - so he enters Saturday’s qualifying with very little insight into his car’s performance with the team.

“He is really short on (data) and he didn’t get to race Suzuka last year because of his broken wrist,” said Hill on Sky Sports.

“This is the measure of great drivers, he has an opportunity to show what he can do with limited testing or driving.”

Daniel Ricciardo is under immense pressure to perform with his career on the line. Picture: Getty Images

Sky Sports commentator David Croft said Ricciardo was simply unlucky with how the first day of the grand prix played out. 

”I really feel sorry for Daniel Ricciardo,” said Croft.

“Team RB are doing nothing wrong giving a run out today to Ayumu Iwasa.

“It’s a Honda track, a Honda driver and he gets a chance at Suzuka.

“The team didn’t foresee the rain coming in when they made this decision a while back, but this is a weekend Daniel Ricciardo needs track time, he needs a clean weekend and he needs time on the track and through no fault of his own Friday is a wipe for him.”

Ricciardo is yet to score any points this season and the pressure will be on Saturday for him to challenge Tsunoda in qualifying as his Japanese teammate has beaten him in every qualifying session this year.

The Australian is fighting to save his career.

Daniel Ricciardo talks with Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Visa Cash App RB, during practice. Picture: Getty Images

While talk of a midseason driver change to Liam Lawson has been widely denied, the fact remains if Ricciardo can’t find a way to improve he will almost certainly get cut at the end of the year.

Ricciardo confirmed he has asked the team to investigate issues with his chassis before judging his performance.

“I certainly addressed that,” he said, according to Speedcafe.

“I’ve driven F1 a long time now, but you can find some differences (between chassis), so that was certainly something I raised the possibility if we still are struggling before we just tell me I’m shit, please get that sorted.”

Ricciardo insisted his problems were nothing like his struggles at McLaren that sapped his confidence before he was sacked.

“It’s not a McLaren situation,” he said.

“It’s just important now that I just keep working with my engineers, and we don’t start taking too many suggestions or advice from the outside.

“I would have wanted more results from the first few races. I’m not happy with it, of course, but it’s important that we stay on course, ultimately, and don’t get sidetracked.”

Originally published as F1: Daniel Ricciardo fighting to save career at Japan GP