- Team changed its name from AlphaTauri
- Unveiled new car for upcoming F1 season
- Ricciardo doesn’t want to just make up the numbers
Australian Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has declared that his team is now more than just a platform for Red Bull Racing, as they unveiled their new car for the 2024 season.
Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri) revealed their latest challenger in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon AEDT.
The team is undergoing more than a mere name change; they are relocating their UK base to Milton Keynes, where Red Bull Racing is situated, and have appointed a new leader.
Laurent Mekies, the former sporting director of Ferrari, assumes the leadership role following the retirement of Franz Tost. This marks a significant shift for the team, as Tost had been at the helm since 2005.
Aussie F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is feeling good ahead of the new season as Visa Cash App RB launch colourful new car for the 2024 season
Ricciardo, a winner of eight F1 grands prix in his career, is notably optimistic about the upcoming season amidst these substantial changes.
‘There are a lot of new personnel, some big partners coming onboard,’ Ricciardo told F1.com.
‘The team has always taken itself seriously, but I feel like this is another step up.
‘It’s no longer just a platform for Red Bull Racing, it’s a time for us to fight at the front of the midfield.
‘I like what’s happened, the changes that have taken place. There’s something about the team, the mindset is a bit different, kind of like a point to prove. It’s cool. It’s fun.’
In 2023, Ricciardo made a strong impression with the Red Bull junior team, stepping in mid-season to take over from Dutch rookie Nick de Vries.
Although he only participated in seven races after joining the team mid-season, Ricciardo faced a setback with a broken wrist sustained during a practice session in the Netherlands.
Visa Cash App RB launch their new vehicle in Vegas with a strong blue streak accentuating the new car
Daniel Ricciardo and fellow Visa Cash App RB driver Yuki Tsunoda at the launch in Las Vegas
Ricciardo’s notable achievement for the season came at the Mexican Grand Prix, where he secured seventh place, marking the team’s best result for any driver last season.
Now, with a complete preseason behind him, Ricciardo is aiming to secure a higher position on the grid in the upcoming races.
‘You have to aim high, but being in this sport so long, you want to remain realistic as you don’t want to end up ultimately disappointed,’ he told F1.com.
‘Top-fives should be a target and if we get into that position, maybe some podiums present themselves.
‘Do I think top-five results are on the table, and could they be on the table in the first half of the season? I’d like to think so.’
Testing will be held later this month, before the first race of the season in Bahrain on March 3, AEDT.
