Ricciardo working harder than ever to make Renault competitive

Daniel Ricciardo reckons he is currently putting in more hours and working harder with the team than previous years in his career, as he attempts to help Renault improve enough to be competitive with the top three.

The former Red Bull driver made the move to Renault hoping that the team would be able to compete with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

Not only have they failed to do so, but their target of, at least, being the fourth-best team has been usurped by a resurgent McLaren.

Ricciardo hasn’t been shy in venting his frustrations this season, but that hasn’t stopped him doubling down on the hard work to try and improve the situation.

"Definitely not to be negative, but regardless of even if we were coming sixth every weekend, I knew there were still bigger targets and that we were still not going to be where we want to be," he reveals to BBC Sport.

"Yes, we're at times further back than we expected and hoped, but I knew there would be work to be done and a lot of hours to put in. I feel like I was prepared for that.

Ricciardo reveals what needs to happen at Renault next yearRead more

"Even though I feel like I have worked more hours and probably worked harder this year than in previous years, it has still been quite enjoyable because the environment is different - new people, new relationships.

"If anything, it has reiterated what I want in the sport."

Despite the disappointing season so far, Renault enjoyed their best result of the campaign in the last race at Monza as Ricciardo finished fourth and Nico Hulkenberg finished in behind in fifth.

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