Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen gave a thumbs up after a strong Friday practice pace at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The pair led a one-two with the Dutchman leading in the midday session before Valtteri Bottas jumped them under the lights in the evening.
While there are probably worries that the single lap pace may not be a strong in qualifying as their rivals turn up the power, Ricciardo is hoping one factor can keep the team in play.
“It was a pretty good day yeah,” the Australian surmised. “Hopefully it remains much the same. It looks pretty close for the moment.
“I hope it stays, I mean I am pretty sure it will stay hot. I think the hotter conditions will help us out because on tyres, we look pretty good and hopefully we will keep this up.”
A slight concern was raised when the 29-year-old, in his final weekend for the team, was seen wearing Kinesio tape on both sides of his neck.
“It has been a long year but just a little tweak earlier,” Daniel explained, playing down any issue.
The key for both drivers at the end of the lap around the hotel, where a series of slow and medium-speed turns around the hotel more resemble a street circuit layout.
“Straight away from the first run I had little complaints,” Verstappen commented. “The car, definitely in the last sector and most of the corners on the track it is just working really well so really happy about that.”
Max was one driver who had a brief scare over a new, raised kerb that has been installed at Turn 20 to deter drivers from going wide but wasn’t as concerned as some.
“I went a little bit over it but yeah, it can happen,” he said. “Even last year if you didn’t abuse it, you could always lean on it a little bit.
“Now, that thing is a little higher and I don’t expect it to be a big problem in the race because you don’t want to go that wide.”
