Daniel Ricciardo ended his long relationship with Red Bull and joined Renault on a two-year deal. The deal will take him through to the brink of a new era, with a wholesale revamp and new engine regulations set for 2021.
“It’s been ten years since I lived in my comfort in Milton Keynes. Getting here is a chance to motivate me again and it gives me a little fresh air.” Ricciardo said.
“In the factory, I feel excitement as I pass. With Red Bull, I arrived at the end of a cycle. There, winning was something natural. Here at Renault, I can start a cycle right from the start, having an impact on the team.” Ricciardo added.
Asked if he feels the pressure to have been recruited for this purpose, the Australian said: “A little bit, yes. Everyone is waiting for me to be good. But I expect that from me too and I want to make that trust.”
“Of course I want to. But I must remain realistic. Renault finished in fourth place in 2018. If we get on a podium, it is because we have become, on paper, the second team on the board.”
“If we get there, the progress made on the big was phenomenal. It’s possible, but I do not want to be disappointed. I hope for a podium, but I do not schedule it.” Ricciardo added.
Daniel Ricciardo has been getting quicker in his Renault. (Sumber:www.sportsku.com)
Renault will certainly continue this week in Barcelona test on the same mode of operation as last week, with two drivers driving the same day.
In Barcelona, during long relay tests, some drivers had the opportunity to follow a few laps. This is particularly the case of Ricciardo, who seems quite positive.
“The new fins have a beneficial effect in my opinion, it was quite noticeable, I was behind a car, I do not know which one, I was a little faster on my series of laps, she was maybe more naturally slow that our Renault or she might have more gas, but it was anyway easier to follow.” Ricciardo said.
“In the race this case will not occur because we have at all times the same amount of fuel, to a few kilos, so we will see more precisely what differences in performance between cars can give.
“But if I have to give a first opinion, with equal parameters, it seems better … I do not want to excite myself too much, I still have to check all that but I really want to see a good sign in all this.” he added.
