The Australian was classified 16th in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, one spot behind team-mate Yuki Tsunoda – who was tagged with a five-second penalty for an unsafe release.
Ricciardo was stymied in Jeddah by a 41-second pitstop due to an issue fitting the rear tyres as the team attempted a double stack during a safety car period. He also spun late on at the opening corner and struggled to catch Williams driver Logan Sargeant.
The eight-time grand prix winner reckons the RB team has picked out weaknesses with its VCARB 01 design, saying: “Honestly, we found a few things over the course of the weekend.
“I think it was always going to be an uphill battle. We simply don't have everything functioning at 100%.
“We see a few flaws, honestly, with the car.
“The race itself, safety car, everyone pitted, and we had a really slow stop. Then we're in that train.
“At the end, then just to make sure, I made my mistake as well, I had a spin at Turn 1.”
Source: Autosport