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Ricciardo pinpoints silly and simple explanation for Red Bull's problems

Ricciardo pinpoints "silly and simple" explanation for Red Bull's problems

08-11-2018 17:38
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Bobby Vincent

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo has claimed that there is no explanation for the reliability problems him and his team have been enduring this season.

Ricciardo has a grid-high of eight DNFs to his name this season - with his most recent coming in Mexico, with only 10 laps to go; on course to score his first podium finish since May!

Five of the Aussie's DNFs have come in the last nine races, and we have seen a very frustrated and angry Ricciardo figure for most of the season; as he prepares to switch to Renault next season.

Ricciardo was asked by Crash.net about the feeling he had when he pulled over at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and he replied: "This year it has happened too many times. The first thing you think is 'not again!'

"I was relatively calm for the most part. I was more animated in Austin. It was a bit more like head down feeling."

Max Verstappen, the Aussie's team-mate, went onto win in Mexico and the Dutchman has simply outperformed his colleague this season; scoring nine podiums, compared to Ricciardo's two.

"I looked at the first six months of last year, Max seemed to have most if not all of it. Then the last six months, I seemed to have most or all of it," Ricciardo continued. 

"So last year it was spread out in a way between us, and this year certainly it is been more me. Max had the failure in Budapest and maybe somewhere else. But it certainly has been a lot more top heavy this year.

"I don't really have any explanation. It sounds really simple and silly, but bad luck really is the best term I can use. All the team still like me, so no-one has it in for me. it has just been the way it has worked this year.

"I'll keep trying. I know Sunday afternoons, I am pretty pissed and animated, but honestly, I wake up Monday and am ready to go again. So it doesn't last too long!"