Ricciardo seeks redemption in Singapore street fight
Friday, 20 September 2024
Ricciardo's history in Singapore offers a glimmer of hope
Daniel Ricciardo is gearing up for a thrilling return to the Marina Bay Street Circuit, one of his favourite tracks on the Formula 1® calendar. The Aussie driver, who missed last year's Singapore Grand Prix, is eager to tackle the demanding street circuit once again and aims to improve on his team's performance from Baku.
Singapore's night race has always been a highlight for Ricciardo, and his absence last year has only fueled his excitement for this weekend's event. The unique challenges of the Marina Bay circuit, coupled with the hot and humid conditions, make it one of the most physically demanding races of the season.
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"I really like the Marina Bay Street Circuit, it's one of my favourites," Ricciardo enthused. "I didn’t race there last year, so I’m really looking forward to going back. It’s going to be hot and humid, which will be an extra challenge. Hopefully we can do better than we did in Baku"
The Visa Cash App RB driver is under no illusions about the task ahead. Singapore's street circuit is notoriously unforgiving, with its tight corners and close barriers ready to punish even the slightest mistake. However, Ricciardo's experience and affinity for the track could play to his advantage as he seeks to secure some valuable points for his team.
Ricciardo's teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, shares the optimism for the weekend ahead. Tsunoda is aiming for a Q3 appearance in qualifying, building on the team's near-miss in Baku. The Japanese driver acknowledges the physical demands of the race, particularly the relentless nature of the driving and the high number of gear changes required throughout the lap.
The Singapore Grand Prix is known for its high likelihood of safety car deployments, a factor that both Ricciardo and Tsunoda will need to be prepared to capitalise on. The evolving track conditions, with up to three seconds of improvement from free practice to qualifying, will also play a crucial role in the team's strategy.
Alan Permane, Racing Director for the team, emphasised the unique nature of the Singapore event: "Singapore is a true night race and a special event on the Formula One calendar. It is one of the most demanding races for the drivers and you need to be fully focused to tackle the longest race of the season, which regularly runs over two hours."
As Ricciardo and his team prepare for the challenges ahead, all eyes will be on the Australian to see if he can leverage his experience and affinity for the circuit to deliver a strong performance. With the entire team working hard to understand and improve their package, Ricciardo's return to Singapore could mark a turning point in their season.
