VCARB’s Big Weekend: Tsunoda and Ricciardo Gear Up for Zandvoort

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The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort holds a special place in the hearts of Formula 1 fans, with its iconic circuit known for challenging drivers with its fast corners and undulating terrain. The VCARB team is gearing up for a crucial race weekend, where both Tsunoda and Ricciardo will be under immense pressure to deliver standout performances.

As Tsunoda looks to secure his position within the Red Bull family for the upcoming season, the young driver will be pushing himself to the limit to showcase his talents and potential. Meanwhile, Ricciardo, a seasoned driver with a wealth of experience, faces a pivotal moment in his career as he strives to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

The atmosphere within the VCARB camp is a mix of determination and anticipation, with the team fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead at Zandvoort. The drivers, along with the entire crew, are focused on fine-tuning their strategies and maximizing their performance to achieve the best possible results.

Under immense pressure from both fans and his team, Daniel Ricciardo is entering this upcoming race weekend with a revitalized sense of purpose and commitment. After taking some time off during the summer break to recharge and refocus, Ricciardo said “It’s been a great summer break. I got back to Australia to see some friends and family, so I’m feeling recharged, fit, and healthy.”

Despite the unfortunate incident last year that dramatically affected his season, the Australian driver still cherishes his memories of the Zandvoort circuit. “Obviously last year it’s where my year turned upside down, but until the accident with Oscar, I was really enjoying the circuit, the car was great around there.”

“I’m confident we can continue where we left off before the break, our momentum was strong, and we’re definitely in the fight for some points,” Ricciardo emphasized his confidence in the team's ability to achieve a solid performance this weekend.

During the summer break, Tsunoda made sure to fully recharge and get ready for the challenging races that were coming up.. “I enjoyed the break and now I’m all set to go racing again,” Tsunoda stated. The Japanese driver spent his time back home, reconnecting with friends and family. “After that, I’ve been back in Italy, doing a training programme, with plenty of cycling and even some wakeboarding.”

Tsunoda is excited to take on the upcoming challenges, given Zandvoort's narrow, winding course and distinctive banked corners. “Now it’s time for Zandvoort, a unique challenge… We had a strong finish to the first part of the season, so I want to keep that momentum going from now on,” he added, signaling his intent to maintain the team’s upward trajectory.

Jody Egginton, the team's Technical Director, is preparing for the challenging competition ahead, especially noting the unique difficulties of the seaside circuit. He expressed confidence in the team's strong foundation for this race, along with some additional minor updates, to maintain their competitive position.

Egginton stressed the significance of performing well in qualifying at Zandvoort, a circuit known for being less forgiving than others. “Achieving a good qualifying is very important here,” he noted, adding that the circuit’s 14 corners and various cambers, along with the gravel traps, will “punish even the smallest of errors.”

Egginton remains confident as the team gets ready for the upcoming highly competitive second half of the season. “We expect a tough fight with our closest competitors for points and we are looking forward to the battle in what is going to be a very intense second half of the season.”

The VCARB is currently concentrating on gaining momentum and competing for important points in the 2024 F1 championship as the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix draws near. They hold the sixth position in the F1 Constructors standings, leading up to Round 15 out of 24.