RB set to introduce minor updates at Zandvoort
Introducing a set of minor updates at this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix,the Visa Cash RB outfit hopes to continue to fight for the lower point-rewarding positions at Zandvoort.
Having endured an up and down season so far, Daniel Ricciardo spent the summer break in his native Australia.
The eighth-time F1 race winner was forced to miss last year's Dutch Grand Prix after sustaining a heavy practice crash that saw him pick up a wrist injury.
“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. I’m looking forward to getting back to Zandvoort.
"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.”
Similar to Ricciardo, his team-mate Yuki Tsunoda spent the break at home, having travelled to Japan after the Spa round.
"I enjoyed the break and now I’m all set to go racing again. I went back to Japan and had a great time catching up with friends and my family, something I don’t get the chance to do very often during the season.
Expanding on his preparation for the second half of the season, the Japanese driver has revealed that he performed a training programme to get himself ready for the next phase of the season that will feature four races in five weeks.
"After that, I’ve been back in Italy, doing a training programme, with plenty of cycling and even some wakeboarding.
"Now it’s time for Zandvoort, a unique challenge with its tight, twisty track and its banked corners. We had a strong finish to the first part of the season, so I want to keep that momentum going from now on," concluded Tsunoda.
After RB had slightly lost its way with its recent upgrades, technical director Jody Egginton has revealed that the Faenza-based outfit will introduce several minor updates at Zandvoort.
“Zandvoort presents some different challenges, but we have a solid baseline to take in this race, which, combined with a couple of further minor updates, should allow us to continue to fight towards the front.
"The circuit is a testing ‘Old School’ circuit ranking amongst the shorter circuits on the calendar with 14 corners of various types, combined with short straights with various cambers and many gravel traps, which will punish even the smallest of errors.
"Achieving a good qualifying is very important here. With regards to the race, as it has been the case for the majority of races this 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.”
