Daniel Ricciardo feels Renault has a point to prove in Austria

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo feels Renault has a point to prove in Austria

Renault has not scored a point at the Red Bull Ring in four visits

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 16 June 2020 15:37

Daniel Ricciardo is hoping Renault can finally prove itself in Austria when Formula 1 starts at the Red Bull Ring next month.

Since returning to F1 as a constructor in 2016, the French manufacturer team has posted a wretched record at the Spielberg track as it has failed to score a point in four outings.

Last year, Ricciardo and then team-mate Nico Hulkenberg could only finish 12th and 13th respectively. For the 30-year-old Australian, it was his worst result at the circuit on the five occasions he has seen the chequered flag.

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"It's an interesting track because it's quite a short lap," said Ricciardo, speaking on an F1 Instagram Live interview about the 2.6-mile circuit that will host the season-opening double-header on July 5 and 12.

"It starts off with long straights, tight corners, but then the last two-thirds of the track is really fast and flowing. As short a lap as it is, it has a bit of everything, and the last few years the races have been pretty exciting there.

"We were a fair bit off there last year but I'm actually excited to go back, not only once but twice. I think we learned a bit after the race last year so it's a chance to prove ourselves a little bit."

Like any driver, Ricciardo is now keen to start racing again, and in particular, after announcing his decision to leave Renault at the end of the year for McLaren, he is eager to ensure he departs on a high.

"Once they announced the official start date, we can see the end of the tunnel now, we can get going," added Ricciardo.

"I'm hanging out to race, to compete, to finish this journey, this chapter with Renault in the best way possible.

"I still feel I owe a lot to them, on and off-track, so I'm glad we can compete soon and try and do what I can."

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