The driver line-ups in 2014’s Formula One season greatly differ from those we saw in 2013. Some of the moves have been outstandingly successful, while others could be considered a step backwards.
Many drivers have reaped the benefits from a change of colours. Nico Hulkenberg’s move to Force India has helped him avoid Sauber’s abysmal first half of the season. Felipe Massa’s shift to Williams has taken him back into a car that can score him podiums.
But has there been a better move for a driver than Daniel Riccardo?
His graduation from the junior Toro Rosso outfit into the big boys’ Red Bull car has shown the world what he is truly capable of – great maturity behind the wheel of his car.
Watching Ricciardo drive is like watching a tutorial for how to drive in a range of situations. His two victories in Formula One this season have been aided by good strategic calls from the team in Canada and Hungary, as well as a bit of race day luck.
However, a driver can have all the luck in the world, but it requires execution behind the wheel at the right moment to win a race.
Riccardo has done this twice at critical moments to snatch a race win. His courageous Lap 67 move around the outside of Sergio Perez at turn one in Montreal was the move of a man with supreme confidence in his car.
He exerted such control again with his equally daring move past a Lewis Hamilton-operated Mercedes at the Hungaroring’s tricky turn two, with only four laps remaining.
While both of these moves put him in position to seize the race lead, as he did on both occasions with some assertive passes on a Mercedes and a Ferrari respectively, it was the build-up to these moves that let him win the races.
There was an element of luck for Ricciardo in these wins, with Mercedes being forced to run with a technical problem in Canada, and wet weather and safety cars playing a part in the Hungarian race.
But what was pleasing to see from Ricciardo was that at no point did he panic in the cockpit.
He very much drives his own race, and does not conform to other drivers’ strategies or styles. The gentle management of his tyres in Hungary was superb, and yet throughout the race he was able to open up a gap with some clear track.
Come crunch time, he was able to punch the loud pedal and reel in the race leaders.
Even when confronted with technical difficulties, he stayed calm and relayed the message to the pit crew. The problem was fixed, allowing him to carry on at his own pace before showing his flair and ‘zing’ in the closing stages of the race.
Unfortunately, his car’s qualifying pace has been down this year on that of the leaders, though that seems to be more to do with the RB10 than his individual efforts, so we are yet to see how Ricciardo deals with the pressure of trying to lead a race from start to finish.
This is a very different approach to driving from the way Red Bull has had to attack from further back on the grid in their races thus far this season.
However, we have seen Ricciardo hold position very well this season on a number of occasions. His exhausted tyres at Silverstone held off Jenson Button for a podium finish. He stayed out of trouble on the tight streets of Monaco to take another third place.
His infamous disqualification in Australia from second place was a strong drive in a car many thought would be lucky to make the chequered flag. But he started from second and held station throughout the race in a strong display of his ability to command and control a position.
So while Ricciardo may not have taken a dominant victory yet in Formula 1, it’s clear he has the skills to do so should they be required.
The all round skill set he possesses that makes Ricciardo’s race strategy so dangerous to his competitors. Multiple methods for winning races make him more adept at taking victories, particularly when the odds are stacked against him.
A range of skills are exactly what’s needed in the modern Formula One World Championship. Daniel Ricciardo has everything he needs in his own toolbox, including a garage full of promise. Now he just needs the team to back him up on a consistent basis.
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