Daniel Ricciardo admits he felt greater frustration for his fans than himself after a disappointing Australian Grand Prix.
His first race with Renault was effectively over mere metres after it began when his front wing was torn off on a service road while running down the grass, putting him well behind the pack before eventually retiring.
It was a result that continued his poor luck at his home race, which included his infamous disqualification in 2014 and a best finish of fourth.
“After Melbourne, I was of course disappointed that the weekend didn’t go well but part of me was relieved that it was over,” he admitted on Thursday.
“I was more disappointed for the fans [because] I do it for me first and foremost but I saw so many Renault T-shirts and hats. I was happy that it was over in a way but I was like I feel for them.
“Whether I finished 12th or eighth or whatever, at least I was in the race and in some battles and giving them some track time.”
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Ricciardo said that by Monday afternoon after the race, his mood was back to normal and now he starts this weekend back in his positive mindset.
“I can get over it pretty quickly knowing that it is so early in the season,” he said. “For me and also for the team, for the morale, I’m not coming here to Bahrain with my head still down from Melbourne, that is not healthy, not good for anyone.”
As Ricciardo looks to get his fresh start with Renault back on track, he will also have a new chassis in the desert because of the damage his car sustained.
“I guess it was from the impact at the start,” the former Red Bull driver punted. “They don’t know 100% if that was it, that is the assumption, but to play it safe we are changing chassis.
“Other than that it is a pretty chilled weekend, pretty relaxed, it is quite nice to just do what we got to do.”
