Daniel Ricciardo scored three wins last season and was easily the best of the rest behind the dominant Mercedes team, but this year the big smiling Red Bull driver is not even challenging for podiums and has revealed that the RB11, combined with the Renault V6 turbo engine, is simply not up to scratch.
Mail Online quotes the Australian, "In some places we're sort of there or thereabouts but we're not strong anywhere at the moment. Unfortunately we don't have a gain anywhere."
"We're by no means the quickest in the fast corners, so we're not really optimal I think last year we lacked power, but we were making it up through some high-speed corners and I think we haven't gained at least in some areas," he observed.
After a season with four times world champion Sebastian Vettel, this year Ricciardo is paired with relatively inexperienced Daniil Kvyat and as a result he has taken over the mantle of Red Bull team leader, a role he is enjoying.
"Obviously I try and carry a bit more of the weight on me. Knowing that I have a bit more experience than Daniil and I know the guys a bit better, I'm trying to help out that extra little per cent if I can. But if I look back at my approach last year and compare, it's still the same," explained Ricciardo.
"Maybe the extra feedback I'm giving the guys is natural after an extra year with them. The results haven't been what we wanted but I'm still enjoying the challenge. I think when we do get the performance that we want it will be a very nice feeling," he predicted.
Ricciardo now lives in Monte Carlo and is looking forward to his 'home race' and 75th grand prix weekend, "I know there's that quote about racing at Monaco being like riding a bicycle around your bathroom..."
"Well, when I was a kid I used to love riding my little bike around inside the house - it was more fun, there were more obstacles and a bit more danger. That really is what this is like," he concluded with a trademark smile.
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