Ricciardo admits 'step back' to Renault has been a struggle
Ricciardo admits 'step back' to Renault has been a struggle
Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that the 'step back' in moving from Red Bull to Renault has been a difficult adjustment for him, and that he is still learning how to adapt to the pace and grip of his new car.
The Aussie made the move from Red Bull to Renault at the end of the 2018 season and though expectations were high, the 29-year-old has been frustrated by two DNFs so far, in Melbourne and Bahrain.
Ricciardo has been quick to note the difference between a perceived step up in car class versus a step backwards, and referenced his own promotion from Toro Rosso to Red Bull in 2014, and also Charles Leclerc's sparkling start to his Ferrari career.
He said: "I knew it would take time, but in my heart, I just expected to jump in the car first lap [and] be [like] sweet, we are going to be good.
“So coming a step back as far as grip and handling, it is no secret that we are not on the pace of the car I had last year. So that is something I need to figure out again.
“In Charles’ situation, it is a bit like me when I came from Toro Rosso to Red Bull. Everything becomes easier, you have more grip, and it is like ‘oh wow the car can do this’?
“So it is a bit of patience and discipline for me, but that is cool. It is challenging in itself to learn that and figure it out.”
Ricciardo was quick to add, however, that he is aware of what the car is capable of, and the more laps he gets under his belt, the more he will be able to extract from it.
He stated: "“I made some comments about the way the car responded, and I was a bit surprised, but he said that is just normal, that is how this car is.
“So I’m trying to learn from his experience with it. The positive for me is that I still know that there is a lot from me to still gain from this car. They way I see it is that it is only going to get better.
“I just hope it happens sooner, but it is going to be a bit of a process. [In] A few grands prix [it] should be okay.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 champion DOUBTS passion of new fans
- 40 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Horner and Red Bull saga to reignite as F1 legend OFFENDED by official statement
- 1 hour ago
EXCLUSIVE: Norris and Piastri 'just like what you see on social media'
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton form raises Ferrari F1 move fears
- 3 hours ago
F1 legend OFFENDED by F1's rejection of Andretti's bid
- Today 11:57
F1 boss holds talks with Prime Minister about potential new race
- Today 10:57
Related news
Horner delivers threat to Ricciardo over Red Bull pressure
Marko suggests 'exciting' move to REPLACE Ricciardo
Ricciardo SNUBS team-mate in 'pressure' claim
Ricciardo gives VITAL life advice with F1 twist
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860