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Daniel Ricciardo is feeling cosy at Renault after the first week of testing, stating that both he and teammate Nico Hulkenberg are asking for the same thing.
Ricciardo will undergo his maiden season with Renault this year, after he opted to join it and leave Red Bull at the end of the 2018 season.
The Australian set 186 laps this week as he drove the R.S. 19 each day, trading duties with Hulkenberg. Although he is still getting used to his new surroundings, Ricciardo says that he is already feeling comfortable at the Enstone based squad.
"I feel like I am comfortable with everyone. It does feel normal, walking into the meeting rooms and that, the debriefs, it feels familiar," Ricciardo said.
"The way everyone is engaging with me has been positive, and they are certainly trying to draw as much as they can out of me, and to also see if Nico and me are on same page.
"Yesterday the main things we talked about were identical on where to improve the car, so that is a positive that we are both asking for the same things. It feels cosy."
Ricciardo played down his fifth fastest time of the week, saying that the team is remaining on its toes as it is aware of the threat that its rivals pose.
"I feel like everybody has the ability to be quite quick this week. Toro Rosso, even if that is with no fuel, a 1:17 still is quick," Ricciardo commented. "It is kind of just gauging where everybody is. I was having a look on track, just trying to see little things, how cars can take the kerbs or how the traction is.
"At Red Bull, you looked at two teams, and that was pretty much it. There are a few more cars around is this year. I am still very curious to know what Ferrari and Merc and those guys are doing.
"If I had to put money on it, Ferrari have been the most consistent all test, but even after next week we are not going to know until Melbourne."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
24 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (3)
Login to replyPistonhead
Posts: 556
I liken it to tennis, knocking-up doesn't really count as a guide, its when the temperature the match/race is on that the true form shows through. Pls make it a 6 horse minimum year, please.......
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
He should be feeling cosy, considering how hard Abiteboul is putting all his eggs in Ric's bag now while literally walking right past Hulk.
Mansell
Posts: 104
Least he's at a team that's gonna handle things properly.
Not make a spoilt little Dutch boy a priority.
Just cause he might end up good.
Enjoy your smoking hondas