Ricciardo: We have problems with the whole RB11 package

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that Red Bull’s problems run deeper than Renault power, and in fact the entire RB11 package is not quite up to scratch.

Particularly after Australia, bosses of the former world championship-dominant team pointed the finger angrily at its French engine partner.

Renault hit back with equal venom, accusing Red Bull of pedalling “lies” about its only issue in 2015 being the struggling turbo V6.

Asked directly if it is right to say the engine is the only problem, senior Red Bull driver Ricciardo admitted ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend: “It’s the whole package. But this means that we have the opportunity now to look in many areas for improvement.”

After two races, Ricciardo lies a distant eighth in the 2015 drivers’ standings, despite finishing last season ‘best of the rest’ behind the Mercedes duo.

“Put it this way — it’s been challenging,” he smiled. “But the season is still young and many things can change. We will just have to have some patience.”

However, Ricciardo admitted it was difficult to cope two weeks ago when a driver he notably defeated last year – former teammate Sebastian Vettel – lapped him en route to victory in a Ferrari.

“I was surprised,” he said. “We saw in winter testing that Ferrari looks good, but to beat Mercedes in the second race of the season surprised everybody I think.”

“On the other hand, it’s good for our sport that another car is at the front — good for Ferrari obviously but also for everybody else. It shows that Mercedes is not unbeatable,” he added.