Daniel Ricciardo hints F1 visibility issues could add to "art of a good battle"

McLaren

Ricciardo hints F1 visibility issues could add to "art of a good battle"

New 18-inch tyres and bodywork placement have resulted in reduced vision

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Thursday 24 February 2022 12:10

Daniel Ricciardo has suggested the added blind spots when sitting in F1's new breed of car could add to the "art of a good battle".

The McLaren driver took part in a filming day ahead of the first pre-season test in Spain and has taken over driving duties from Lando Norris on day two at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

F1 cars have radically changed for the new season but after pre-test shakedowns, drivers detailed visibility issues with the new 18-inch Pirelli tyres and extra bodywork that blocks the line of sight.

Article continues under video

Asked for his first impressions on visibility ahead of his first day of official running, Ricciardo replied: "It is definitely a little more tricky. There is just more in the way.

"I think as well, it is another thing with F1 because it is a very unreliable sport because nobody can just jump in the car and experience what it is like, but also even a lot of onboard cameras are from the top so you see so much more.

"So you think that you are riding with a driver but you are not really getting the driver's point of view. Actually, they did test a few cameras last year.

"But my point is you don't see that much, period. This year you see less again but you also get used to it and you just find reference points and things like this.

"It gets easier over time but it probably hasn't been that great since the old days when they were sitting right at the front of the car and a lot higher."

On whether the visibility changes would affect on-track action, the Australian said: "I guess I also don't say it negatively, it is just part of what we do and something we get used to.

"I think it is something we will get used to, there are blind spots in the car so you have to use a lot of intuition when racing side-by-side, but I think also that kind of creates the art of a good battle.

"You kind of use your other instincts and rely on other things to pull off a move or defend well.

"I think there is a bit more for us to adjust to in the early days of 2022 but maybe by a couple of races in, we will be like 'we don't really feel it anymore."