Ricciardo delighted with Renault's 'party mode'

Daniel Ricciardo credited Renault's improvements in terms of power in 2019, as the French marque look to push on after a stop-start opening to the campaign. Having targeted a push towards Formula 1's top three teams in 2019, Renault are eighth in the constructors' standings after six rounds.

Ricciardo's ninth-place finish in Monaco last weekend was just his second points score of the season, while Nico Hulkenberg has not made the top 10 since coming home seventh in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Having driven with the Renault power unit at Red Bull last year, however, Ricciardo says clear improvements have been felt, especially in one-lap performance, where extra modes have boosted his efforts.

"Both Nico and I complimented the Renault boys and our qualifying mode felt pretty strong," said Ricciardo.

"My reference from last year, I am pulling an extra gear before some apexes. So definitely a year on it is a lot better. We actually have a real qualifying mode this year."

A test of Renault's development arrives next on the calendar in the form of the power-hungry Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve.

Ricciardo won the 2014 Canadian GP and believes Renault's upgrades could result in another positive showing this time around.

He said: "I feel that it is in the right direction now, and the nice thing is there is still more to come. The reliability is what is going to hold us up from going that step further.

"That is what is going to hold us back from going that step further, but we could squeeze a bit more this weekend. Even on a low power circuit you could feel it. So there are some positives."

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