McLaren started "two or three steps" back in Hungary - Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo, Mclaren, Hungary — Photo: © LAT Images

Hungarian Grand Prix

McLaren started "two or three steps" back in Hungary - Ricciardo

Ricciardo revealed struggles in first practice have left him on the back foot

Ewan Gale

Friday 30 July 2021 18:32

Daniel Ricciardo believes he is "two or three steps away" after struggling during free practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver finished 14th and 13th across the two sessions on Friday, although the team's Friday results have often failed to reflect its true pace so far this season.

Ricciardo enters the last weekend before the summer break hoping to build on a positive result in the British Grand Prix, and despite making progress with his feel with the MCL35M in the afternoon session, rued the start to the event.

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"The afternoon was a little better, the morning was not particularly good, we were struggling quite a lot," said Ricciardo.

"I would say we made a step in the afternoon but from the morning we were two or three steps away so we have still got to find at least one more step overnight if we want to be in a solid position for tomorrow.

"Track temperature is the big one which is making it more difficult for all of us. It was 60 degrees, which is maybe a track temperature record.

"So maybe that is stressing the tyres and making the car feel not particularly good but nonetheless, still got to find a bit for tomorrow."

Norris bemoans track temperature

Team-mate Lando Norris added to the feeling of the car and the effects of the track conditions at the Hungaroring.

During FP2, the air temperature peaked at 32 degrees centigrade whilst the track reached a blistering 62 degrees.

"It's not very nice," said Norris. "It's not bad, I am still lucky I am driving a Formula 1 car.

"But when you are inside [the car], you want to feel comfortable and want to feel like you can fully push on the car and in these kind of conditions you can't do that so much.

"We are still there or thereabouts compared to our competitors. It is not like we are a long way off the pace so we have things to work on, things to focus on. Try again tomorrow."