Ricciardo Expects Hype Around RB's F1 Performance to Settle Post-Bahrain Grand Prix

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Ricciardo believes that the discussions regarding RB's F1 performance will subside, stating that there will be a decrease in excitement following the Bahrain Grand Prix.

RB ended the previous season on a high note following consistent improvements in performance, but they didn't have enough races left to surpass Williams and secure seventh place in the championship.

Following a review of the recent winter testing in Sakhir, Alex Albon from Williams expressed concerns, along with other drivers and observers, about the progress made by the former AlphaTauri team. This team had been one of the strongest performers in low-speed corners at the end of the last season.

"Regarding RB, I think we already saw it towards the end of last year, they started to really make big steps as they work much closer with Red Bull," Albon stated.

"I think that's pretty much the reason why you see the increase in performance from them. That's not discrediting what they're doing, they're doing an amazing job.

"But I do think they're going to be definitely one step or two steps ahead of where they were last year. They already showed great pace towards the end of last year as well.

"So, they're continuing that and I think they're actually going to be quite close to the top of the midfield."

Albon's remarks support the long-run data from the winter test, which, although requiring caution, indicates that RB is expected to be ahead of the three bottom teams in 2023 and closer to the front of the midfield.

When asked if RB has more pace in reserve than demonstrated in the previous week's test, Ricciardo downplayed the hype surrounding the VCARB01, which he and teammate Yuki Tsunoda are piloting.

"Time will tell, but I honestly don't think so," he said. "I want to say after testing, we have a bit of an idea of the gap to the leaders, give or take probably a few tenths. But knowing that it's still I think a bit of a pretty big gap.

"I think there are some teams that fit inside that gap. If we could leave here with Q3 and points, I think we'd be very happy to. Do I stand here now and say we're definitely going to Q3 and points? Still a bit unsure."

When it comes to the talk about RB's increased collaboration with Red Bull, which includes using both the front and rear suspension from the RB19 of last year, Ricciardo believes that once people witness the actual performance of the Anglo-Italian team, they will "calm down a bit".

"I think some people think we'll be the Aston Martin of last year or the pink Mercedes of a few years ago," the Australian commented.

"I would love to surprise myself and be fighting for a podium, but I would say once we get the result of the weekend, people will calm down a bit.

"Obviously, we do have some components that we're allowed to use, but it's not to the level that I think some people are thinking."