In the round-up: Daniel Ricciardo believes his new chassis in China has had an impact on his form.

In brief

New chassis helped ‘turnaround’ my season – Ricciardo

After receiving a new chassis for the Chinese Grand Prix following a disappointing opening four rounds of the season, Daniel Ricciardo says the move was “definitely positive” for him.

“Obviously after the first few races, I understand that there were a few things that we were trying to get on top of,” he said. “‘We’ being me and my side of the garage.

“I was still happy with the car and that it was just obviously the lap time was a little bit of the question mark, ultimately. We changed the chassis in China and I think some might say that it did nothing, but for me I do feel like, at least my feeling, but also on paper, it looks like my season’s taken a pretty big turnaround. So for now, that was something that was, I think, definitely positive.

“We’re just trying to get a bit more out of the car. But there’s nothing really specific where I’m saying, ‘guys, we really need this’. I think both Yuki [Tsunoda] and myself are asking for similar things. With a bit more of my experience, I guess maybe there’s a few more things I can lean in on and ask from the team. But honestly, nothing in particular.”

Juncos hire O’Neill as team principal

IndyCar team Juncos Hollinger have hired Haas F1 team’s former sporting director and team manager David O’Neill as their new team principal.

O’Neill had a hand in setting up the Manor F1 team for their entry in 2010 as Virgin and worked for Haas through their formative years in 2014 to 2017. He worked as sporting director for the American team with driver Romain Grosjean, one of Juncos Hollinger’s current drivers.

“Juncos Hollinger isn’t scared to go where other teams haven’t gone before, which makes them incredibly well poised to build for their future,” said O’Neill. “The team has a number of initiatives planned throughout the next few years and I am excited to not only be a part of it, but to also help lead the charge side-by-side with the team.”

F2 and F3 change jump start rules

After the Formula 1 regulations were amended at the end of April to change the definition of a ‘false start’ to a driver who moves on the grid ‘after the four second light is illuminated’ and before the lights go out, both the Formula 2 and Formula 3 regulations have been adjusted in accordance with F1.

On Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s racing at Imola, both series’ organisers issued all teams with a bulletin alerting changes to both championships’ sporting regulations using the same language as Formula 1.

The change follows a controversial incident in March’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix where Lando Norris escaped penalty despite appearing to move before the lights went out on the grid.

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On this day in motorsport

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