With a year under his belt now at Renault, Daniel Ricciardo is confident he can “hit the ground running” in 2020.
The Australian’s move from Red Bull was undoubtedly one of the big stories at the start of last season but by the end, there had only been glimpses of the potential which had attracted him to the French manufacturer and some disappointment at missed expectations.
Ricciardo though starts this season a lot more settled than 12 months ago and hopes that can translate into a much more productive pre-season.
“I’m looking forward to blending into the team better on the back of having a full season behind us – so things are going to be easier in that sense,” he explained at an event in Paris on Wednesday.
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“Once I’m in the car at pre-season testing in Barcelona, I’d imagine things will run quite smooth. I already know my engineer, what the targets are, what to work on and what the general car characteristics are like so that should mean we can hit the ground running.
“This all means that I can provide more immediate feedback and therefore it’ll be easier to make those comparisons between the R.S.19 and R.S.20.”
This season could be a tricky one for Ricciardo, however, with his contract up for renewal at the end of the season and Renault themselves already putting a lot of focus on their 2021 project.
And having previously suggested podiums could be a possibility this year, the 30-year-old goals now appear quite modest.
“I have a few personal goals, but ultimately, I want to leave the race weekends feeling like I’ve completed the task at hand and given absolutely everything,” he said.
“It’s going to be important that I’ve applied my full attention and skill set and not taken the easy route out.”
Ricciardo also faces a return to the situation during his final years at Red Bull with a young up-and-comer in the returning Esteban Ocon alongside him.
“I am looking forward to working with Esteban, it’s always exciting to come into a season with a new teammate,” he said.
“It’s a chance to work with a new driver and develop that chemistry together, and ultimately push each other to be the best we can be.
“I think Esteban will bring a positive dynamic; he’s young and hungry. He missed out a season in Formula 1, so I think he’s going to be very keen to do well.”