Helmut Marko: RB driver Daniel Ricciardo needs to show improvement

The Australian racer has encountered a challenging beginning to the season with the revamped RB team. Following a disappointing 13th-place finish in Bahrain, Ricciardo's struggles persisted as he crossed the line in a dismal 16th position in Saudi Arabia.

Ricciardo's woes culminated in a trying weekend in Jeddah, where he found himself overshadowed by his teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Despite Tsunoda's strong performance in qualifying, reaching Q3, he failed to secure a top-10 finish in the race.

In a commentary piece for Speedweek, Marko left no ambiguity about his expectations for Ricciardo, stressing the need for the seasoned driver to deliver more consistent results. 

The pressure is mounting for Ricciardo, who finds himself trailing behind Tsunoda this season.

"There's a lot at stake this season for both Yuki and Daniel," Marko said.

"Yuki's qualifying was very good, and Ricciardo has to come up with something soon...

"At least Tsunoda is very good in qualifying. Then they are in the points in the first stint, only to fall further behind afterwards…

"Whether they are putting too much strain on the tyres or there are other reasons is what you need to find out."