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Daniel Ricciardo Says Red Bull's Season Doesn't Hang On Barcelona Update

Daniel Ricciardo Says Red Bull's Season Doesn't Hang On Barcelona Update

Can Red Bull get back on the podium?

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Red Bull are due a much needed package upgrade in Spain but Daniel Ricciardo reckons that their season doesn't hinge on their upgrade, but it will be very important for the next few weeks.

The last time Red Bull failed to get on the podium for three races was at the end of the 2015 season but that's the fate that could befall them in Barcelona next weekend.

Max Verstappen finished third in China a few weeks ago but since then in Bahrain and Russia the team have had a pair of fifth place finishes with each driver also picking up a no finish.

Red Bulls running in first and second in last year's Spanish GP. PA Images

The team, so used to winning the constructors title for the four years before Mercedes dominance, and coming second in the years since, now have to watch on as Ferrari have become the number one challengers.

Last year after just one podium in the first four races the Austrian team won in Barca thanks to Verstappen's debut win for the team. Next weekend they should have a major package update but Ricciardo doesn't think their season will be decided by it:

"I won't go as far as saying the whole season, but let's say the first half - now to summer. It would probably dictate if we're going to be on the podium or not in those next handful of races.

"It's just a prediction from my side... sure, the team said numbers look better on CFD and all that, but it's like always, until we put the car on the track you never really know and you can't really trust everything.

"It's our best hope for short-term for getting close to the podium."

Ricciardo congratulates Verstappen. PA Images

Verstappen's win last year was tempered a little bit by Ricciardo's problems with pitting and team tactics that left him off the podium and he would run into trouble two weeks later at Monaco too, again costing him the win.

Red Bull are due to get an engine upgrade from Renault later in the year. That was initially set to come in Montreal but now may come slightly later in the summer.

That's where the Australian obviously feels the second half of their season hinges on after the upgrade coming at the next race.

Can Red Bull make it a three way race?

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