Daniel Ricciardo: Renault need to get back to basics

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo: Renault need to get back to basics

Two DNF results for the Australian.

Martin Macdonald

Thursday 11 April 2019 16:32

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Daniel Ricciardo has suggested that Renault have been trying to be too “clever” in their preparations for the opening two races of the season, and reckons that in order to kickstart their campaign they need to get the basic things right first and foremost.

The Australian picked up zero points in Australia and Bahrain after failing to finish both races, as he attempts to get to grip with a different car after moving from Red Bull to Renault in the summer.

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Following a meeting after Bahrain, Ricciardo has came to the conclusion that he and the the team need to get back to basics in their planning and preparations.

"We got the chance to analyse on the Monday after the [Bahrain] race because we had that day off before the test and sat down with the engineers," he explained.

"We had a bit of a debrief in a bit of peace of quiet in our own environment, and we kind of maybe established that we are trying to do too much.

"I am trying to settle in, and also my engineers are trying to work with me, and I think probably all of us are trying to be too maybe clever as well.

"I don't want to say that because you are always trying to find the limits, but for now we just need to keep a more basic approach, do what we can and do it well – and probably not look for that extra 1% at the moment. There is probably bigger time to come from being comfortable and working well together."

Ricciardo believes that having a more consistent plan for the car, for the moment, will aid his transition over to Renault from Red Bull.

"I think it will probably help me out in having a more consistent car throughout the weekend," the Australian admitted

"And I guess simple things: let the track come to us. And try to have a car that I am comfortable with rather than chasing the perfect car, which is constantly doing this [changing].

"I would like to think that I am able to adapt and figure it out, but I think the reality right now is that I am probably better off in something I am more comfortable and in something I am more consistent with."

The seven-time GP winner admits his frustration at how the season has started, but remains excited to get back to his best.

"It is trying to figure out what is going to work best and that again can be maybe frustrating at times but I see the excitement in that," he said.

"There have only been two races, but it is already kind of like: is he really struggling and this and that? For me that is fun as well, I don't want to say to prove people wrong because I think people know I haven't forgotten how to drive, but just to get on top of it. I know that will come."