Ricciardo: “Renault has work to do, but nothing insurmountable”

Renault had completed the first week of the Barcelona tests with the honorary best time of Nico Hulkenberg, before starting a new driving session since Monday, devoted in particular to testing certain new features on the R.S.19.

Changes that should not, however, be considered radical on the car French as admitted Daniel Ricciardo.

“We tried some new things on the car this week but we didn't bring new package. I didn't expect a major change. I almost did a race simulation this morning, kept putting in the laps to see where we are. I didn't do anything really representative the first week. »

Don't move forward too quickly

Concerning the supposed hierarchy of the peloton, and therefore the potential place occupied by Renault F1 Tealm, Ricciardo does not deviate from the rule in force during this winter period: observation of the forces present and above all great caution when discussing the times.

“My predictions are probably as good as yours, jokes the Australian. We can see that it is very tight in the middle of the table. I think the top three teams still have a certain margin compared to the others. It's hard to really know.

You look at Carlos' time, ok maybe they were on red tires with little fuel. It's still a time in the low 17's. And then setting a time at 10:00 does not mean the same thing as setting a time at 11:00.

We will not know what the real hierarchy will be before the qualifying session in Melbourne where everyone will have little fuel and will have to face the same track conditions. Everyone was able to turn in the bottom of the 17 minute. It's good for you and the fans. For my part, I rather want to get away from this soft belly!

I would like to believe that we are at the forefront of the middle of the grid but I have no evidence to support this claim. Our main objective is to finish 4th or better. The gap with the Top 3 is significant so it will not disappear overnight but we must tackle it by developing the car. »

Developments awaited firmly

The former resident of Red Bull Racing is also counting on the behind-the-scenes work of Renault F1 Team in order to benefit as quickly as possible from updates on the R.S.19, to try to constantly progress during the season, and why not reduce the gap with the trio Mercedes - Ferrari - Red Bull.

The improvements made to the infrastructures of Viry and Enstone must bring a greater capacity for action/reaction to the French clan, and therefore new features on the single-seaters at the Losange.

“I know last year, speaking with Nico and understanding how the team worked, the speed of development wasn't as fast as they would have liked it to be, admits Ricciardo. We must understand what the car needs but also ensure that the necessary developments materialize quickly.

This will be a determining factor in whether we are able to close the gap. We first want to ensure that we are at the top in terms of reliability. Everything I've heard is positive, I haven't heard anything negative. The fundamental characteristics are the same.

We try to clean everything up to have less understeer, less oversteer, more balance, etc. This is where the Red Bull was very strong, especially in corners negotiated at high and medium speed. There are no bad surprises. We have work to do but nothing insurmountable »