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BARCELONA, SPAIN Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Renault Sport F1 arrives at the circuit before the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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BARCELONA, SPAIN Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Renault Sport F1 arrives at the circuit before the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
On the second day of testing, Daniel Ricciardo was asked what the team would bring to the grid in 2021. Given that this year’s cars carry forward many elements from last year’s, he doesn’t expect that there would be any significant difference heading into the new season.
Ricciardo, therefore, has stated he won’t be surprised if there aren’t any major changes in his first season with the team.
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However, even the preseason testing has seen significant shuffling in the ranks.
Mercedes, who have dominated the sport for the better part of the last decade, faced quite a few problems during testing. They had a gearbox issue and their drivers spun off the track while putting in their laps.
The Australian driver, on the other hand, shined in his first outing with the team. Ricciardo was the fastest on the opening day of testing and also put in a great lap on the first session of the second day.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Pre-Season Testing – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 14, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo in action during testing REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Daniel Ricciardo says that McLaren have nothing to hide
The Australian driver said, “I mean look we’re certainly not like hiding anything, you know, there’s the reality is there’s only so much you can kind of do with the cars this year. The regulations obviously haven’t really changed so much.”
He added, “So I don’t expect to see massive switches in the field, but, of course, I’d like to think that as a team, getting closer.
“So, hopefully that’s the case.”
The Australian is already in sync with his new team
Ricciardo put in the laps with the new MCL35M around the track in Bahrain and had some positive things to say about the Woking-based team ahead of his debut for the team.
He said, “I think it’s all gone pretty smooth. I don’t know what could have gone better yet aside from the lap times. But generally, I think it’s been pretty good. I think we’ve done most runs that we planned.”
Keep pushing, @DanielRicciardo 👊
16 laps down so far. #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/Fcr2N8hgvl
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 14, 2021
The Australian driver will pair alongside 21-year-old Lando Norris in his first season for the papaya team. The two exceptional drivers hope they can take the team to the top of the grid and help put up a legit fight for the constructors’ title.
Also Read: Daniel Ricciardo “Anticipating Something Capable” From Mercedes Powered McLaren F1 Car
