Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Whether VCARB can hold off Haas is one of the major storylines to watch
Formula 1 returns to action this week with the Dutch Grand Prix, closing the sport’s annual summer shutdown.
One of the major storylines over the second half of the season? Whether Visa Cash App RB F1 Team can hold off Haas for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship. While VCARB built a 28-7 lead over Haas in that fight following the Spanish Grand Prix, Haas closed the gap over the next four races and now trails VCARB by just seven points in the standings, 34-27.
Can VCARB hold on?
In the team’s media preview of the Dutch Grand Prix, both Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda expressed some confidence heading into the second half of the season.
“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,” said Ricciardo in the team’s media preview. “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.”
According to Tsunoda, a “strong finish” to the first half of the season has the team entering the week with some momentum.
“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. After that, I’ve been back in Italy, doing a training programme, with plenty of cycling and even some wakeboarding,” described Tsunoda. “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.”
Another potential reason for confidence over at VCARB? The team is rolling out some “minor” upgrades ahead of the weekend.
“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,” said Technical Director Jody Egginton. “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,” added Egginton. “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.”
Ricciardo and Tsunoda get their first cracks at the circuit in Friday’s two practice sessions ahead of what could be a wet qualifying Saturday at Zandvoort.
