It's been a tough 18 months for Red Bull since their dominant four years at the top of Formula One ended in 2013. The team were well off the pace of Mercedes last season, but could at least count on Daniel Ricciardo to pick up a win or three when the Silver Arrows ran into trouble. However, Red Bull seem to have fallen even further back this season, with rivals, along with former driver and world champion Sebastian Vettel, taking the fight to Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at the sharp end of the grid. Daniel Ricciardo practices with a martial artist at Guyi Garden ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix . The Red Bull driver takes instructions to work on his stance as the Formula One circus arrives in Shanghai . Ricciardo smiles as he gets to grips with the stance shown to him by the martial artist . But Ricciardo looks like he has found the formula to kick-start his and the team's season ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix. The popular Australian met a martial artist at Guyi Garden for a PR event before he starts putting Friday free practice laps around the Shanghai circuit, and attempted to hold different stances and poses as he bids to improve on a sixth place finish in Australia as well as a disappointing 10th in Malaysia. The new skills may not get the few tenths needed to bring Red Bull back to the front of the grid, but the discipline picked up from the session may help him deal with what could turn out to be a frustrating season for the 25-year-old judging by the opening couple of races. Ricciardo greets his trainer ahead of the event held before the weekend's Chinese Grand Prix action gets underway . Red Bull need some guidance following a slow start to the season which has seen them slip behind Ferrari in challenging Mercedes . There was no stopping Ricciardo from dominating Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull last season, but 2015 has been less kind so far . Ricciardo copies his trainer while trying to learn a stance at Guyi Garden in the build up to the Chinese Grand Prix . The martial artist trainer looks on as Ricciardo tries to master a stance taught to him . Ricciardo seemed to enjoy the pre-race event as he is given a helping hand by the instructor . Ricciardo shows off his balancing skills as his instructor shadows the Red Bull star . Getting the hang of it, Ricciardo gives a double fist pump as he hopes to kick-start a disappointing opening to the 2015 F1 season . Red Bull will hope Ricciardo doesn't stretch his new martial art skills too much ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix . Ricciardo watches and learns as photographers gather round to take pictures and videos of the event . Ricciardo greets fans after arriving at the Shangahi circuit ahead of this weekend's Grand Prix .
Daniel Ricciardo trained with martial artist in PR event ahead of Formula One Chinese Grand Prix . Red Bull have struggled at the start of the 2015 Formula One season as Ferrari have taken fight to Mercedes . Ricciardo finished sixth in Australian Grand Prix and 10th in Malaysian Grand Prix .