Ricciardo learns art of patience
Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull's woes this season have not shaken his belief in his abilities or what he can achieve as a Formula One driver.
The 25-year-old West Australian will enter Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, which now doubles as his home circuit, on his fourth and final allocated Renault engine and with a best result of sixth in 2015.
By the same stage last year, Ricciardo had already stood on the podium once and was just a race away from the first win of his blossoming F1 career.
He is targeting a top-five finish this weekend at a tight, winding street circuit that typically rewards driver skill as much as raw mechanical performance.
But if there is one thing he has learned more than anything else in his first year as Red Bull's most experienced driver, it is patience.
He admitted the season's first five races had been one of the most frustrating periods of his career, with the car's lack of pace and reliability problems a world away from the highs achieved immediately after taking over from compatriot Mark Webber.
"That's the hard one to deal with in a way," Ricciardo said.
"Obviously after last year I feel I've got so much more to offer, but it's this sport unfortunately.
"It's the frustrating part of the sport. I've said it many times, but it's not like many sports where you can just pick up a tennis racquet and 100 per cent everything is on you. There's so many more factors in this game.
"I have a lot of belief in myself and confidence that I can get the job done, but for now I've just got to be patient and try and fast track everything now as much as we can and help the team out."
Ricciardo has spent more time in the boxing ring sparring with his Australian trainer Stuart Smith, which has helped release some of the frustration. He has even spent time learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
"Some of my training sessions might have been a bit more intense," Ricciardo said.
"That's probably my way of letting off a bit of steam. I think the training has been good this year.
"I'll always try to remain professional, but for sure we're athletes and we love competition. I hate losing."
Red Bull's chief motorsport adviser Helmut Marko issued a warning after sister outfit Toro Rosso out-qualified the senior team in Spain earlier this month, suggesting established drivers Ricciardo and teammate Daniil Kvyat had to look out.
But Ricciardo said the powers that be would still recognise a good drive, even if it was only enough for a minor place.
"I can't stay frustrated or I think performances will decline," he said.
"Even if it's a seventh place, or whatever it is, there's still a lot of positives to take from that.
"If my career is long in this sport, I can't throw away my career for having one bad season or on a car that can't get podiums.
"I've still got to focus on my potential and my abilities."
