Daniel Ricciardo has scored his first victory of the season, but only after trading tarmac for open ocean.
Ahead of a pivotal Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, the West Australian speed demon went head-to-head with eight-time MotoGP world champion Marc Márquez in a mini America’s Cup run with team Alinghi Red Bull Racing.
The pair swapped horsepower for wind power, reaching speeds of up to 90km an hour as they battled on the same waters that will host the America’s Cup later in the year.
Both boats made brilliant starts off the line, but ultimately, it was Ricciardo who mastered the wind and waves to beat the Catalonian MotoGP champion on his home ground.
“You never know what to expect when you experience something like this, but I had a lot of fun,” Ricciardo said.
“When you come out of the water foiling, the boats go so fast, the agility and everything’s really precise. You also feel the wind like we do – and Marc does on his bike – but unless it’s a wet race we don’t really get the water that much. So every now and then, you hit a wave and get covered with water.”
The West Australian made a horror start to his first full season back in the driver’s seat at Visa Cash App RB, having spent nearly half of 2023 as Red Bull’s reserve driver after being axed by McLaren, failing to score a point through five rounds.
However, since a fourth-place finish in the Miami sprint race, the overtake fiend has started to find his groove, qualifying fifth and finishing eighth in the most recent race at the Canadian Grand Prix.
RB is expected to bring updates to this weekend’s race in Barcelona, as is much of the field, in what will be a further boost for the eight-time race victor.
“Barcelona is always a track where everyone brings updates, so I think it’s going to be a really competitive weekend,” the Australian said.
“I’m excited to drive it with the faster last sector that they changed for last year. I’m looking forward to getting back on that track.
“Normally, it’s quite familiar but we didn’t do any testing there this year, so should be fun. I’m looking forward to keeping this run going, trying to get some more Q3 appearances and points finishes.
“I’ve been waiting a while, but I like to think it’s the start of where my season continues to progress and show performances like I did in Montreal. Really looking forward to it and excited to get the European leg started!”