Ricciardo a "really great reference point" for McLaren

McLaren technical director James Key has described new recruit Daniel Ricciardo as a "really great reference point" for the team heading into the new season.

Key, who previously worked with Ricciardo at Toro Rosso, is reunited with Ricciardo following the Australian's move over the winter from Renault.

While most teams will run largely unchanged machinery from last year, the notable exception is McLaren following its switch from Renault to Mercedes power units.

Key believes Ricciardo's knowledge will enable him to pinpoint where the team sits in comparison to the other nine constructors.

"I think what he will bring to us is this really great reference point," said Key. "He was great to work with at Toro Rosso because he was already very technically savvy and had exactly the same approach that you see now.

"But since then he has experienced an awful lot more, and as a reference point for us, it’s going to be really interesting.

"He’s coming from a competitor [Renault] and a good team in Red Bull before then, which will give him some ideas and reference points that will be a good input for us as well, so I am looking forward to working with him on that basis.”

Ricciardo replaced new Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz at McLaren, and Key believes the two former Toro Rosso drivers have grown in much the same way during their time in F1.

Comparing his experience of the two drivers while at the Red Bull junior team, Key said: "He [Sainz] was eager to learn, he knew he had to gather more experience, how to manage tyres, all these things that were very much relevant at that time.

"Seeing him now, he is this very confident, knowledgeable and very highly regarded driver.

"I think Daniel’s been through the same process but earlier and between times has gone and won races as well and put himself amongst that category of drivers."

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