Angry Ricciardo claims that RB "f***ed up strategy"

Visa Cash RB driver Daniel Ricciardo claims that the Faenza-based outfit f***ed up his race strategy at the Hungarian Grand Prix which meant that he spent the majority of the Mogyoród F1 round in traffic.

Daniel Ricciardo looked very strong all weekend long, topping the first qualifying segment and qualifying ninth on the grid. The Australian started the race on Pirelli's mediums, but the team called him in early for his first stop as its reacted on those who started on softs and pitted very early.

The early stop meant that Ricciardo could not extract everything from his medium tyres, and spent the majority in traffic. The compromised strategy saw the eight-time F1 race winner end up only 12th.

“Today it was a long and frustrating race," started Ricciardo. "We didn’t use the pace we had in the clear air. We were on the mediums at the start of the race and after only a few laps we pitted for new hards together with the other cars who started on softs, coming out in traffic.

"It’s even more frustrating because we were quick all weekend, and I felt like we have taken ourselves out of the race so early as we couldn’t fight cars that were coming much quicker on newer tyres.”

Ricciardo said that he expeted his race engineer Pierre Hamelin offer apology following the chequered flag, but he did not receive it from his team.

"We had the pace and we basically gave Yuki the race that we had in front of us. And we both could have done that. And we didn't.Honestly, I was expecting more. On the in-lap I was waiting for 'Sorry, we f***ed up'. And I didn't get it. So that made me even more angry," noted Ricciardo.

Following his scary crash in qualifying, Yuki Tsunoda went for an aggressive one-stop strategy. The Japanese managed to extend his first stint on the mediums superbly though despite high levels of degradation, and pitted on Lap 41.

“First of all, huge thanks to the mechanics and team who spent the night and this morning repairing my car in time for the race. It wasn’t easy after such a big crash and we had to change a lot of things, but because of their hard work we were able to score the points today - huge credit to the whole team.

"I’m very relieved I was able to make up for it after yesterday’s crash and particularly happy with my tyre management. I think it was a big race for us, especially as we were able to finish ahead of our competitors, and it’s a huge positive for the coming races.”

RB team boss Laurent Mekies sounded a positive note when he assess the progress the Faenza-based outfit has achieved following a run of tough races.

“Over the past few weeks, everyone in Faenza and Bicester worked hard and effectively, delivering the upturn in performance we witnessed here in Hungary. Getting both cars into Q3 was proof of that, once again heading the midfield and the points we picked up today are a well-deserved reward for all that effort.

"Yuki’s race was sensational, and we were the only car daring to do a one-stop race, which allowed us to beat not only the midfield runners but also both Aston Martins. Yuki’s tyre management was second to none, and he made it stick to the end.

The Frenchman hailed his team for rebuilding Tsunoda's VCARB01 in a very short space of time, but he acknowledged that the team's decision to pit Ricciardo early was a mistake.

"The team also did a truly remarkable job in a short space of time by rebuilding Yuki’s car around a new chassis following his Q3 crash. Unfortunately, we got it wrong with Daniel and pitted him too early in heavy traffic, which lost him a chance to fight for points.

"His pace had been extremely strong all weekend long, and he demonstrated that again in the final stint of the race when he was finally able to find some free air and fight his way back. We certainly share his frustration, and we will learn and come back stronger next week.

"Now we move on to Spa, a very different challenge to the Hungaroring. We go there with the positives of our strong weekend here and will push very hard to get our car to work as best it can at this fast and flowing track," concluded Mekies.