Daniel Ricciardo concedes "room for improvement" despite McLaren "inner confidence"

McLaren

Ricciardo concedes "room for improvement" despite McLaren "inner confidence"

McLaren driver believes a year of experience in the team will pay dividends

Will Gray

Friday 15 April 2022 10:35

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Daniel Ricciardo has built an “inner confidence” at McLaren that he believes will pay dividends this season despite the fact the team has dropped down the order with this year’s regulation changes.

Ricciardo struggled to adjust to the MCL35M after joining the team last season but he recovered to win the Italian Grand Prix as he and team-mate Lando Norris helped McLaren secure fourth place in the constructors' standings.

Despite a slow start to the new campaign, Ricciardo believes he is now better positioned to capitalise if and when the car improves and said: “Even if the car was the same as last year, it would feel more natural, just from having a year under my belt.

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“Everything feels more familiar. So I'd say it's like, the characteristics of this year's car are still in the same ballpark if you will, but I do feel more comfortable. And I think that's just with time.

“Do I feel I am getting every last millisecond out of it yet? Not often enough. So there's definitely still some room for improvement and things I want to keep getting better at behind the wheel.”

Ricciardo hoping not to “wait too long” for McLaren improvement

Ricciardo was tipped to lead McLaren to the next level when he joined the team but was overshadowed by the performances of Norris last season, with the Australian outscored by 45 points.

Despite a tricky start to the new campaign, Ricciardo added: “I always have a good level of, let's say, inner confidence. In terms of a confidence level, it's there and I just expect to keep getting better.

“But I don't obviously want to wait too long. Last year was a bit of a slow start, so I don't I don't expect that to be the case now.”