Daniel Ricciardo has conceded that he is still trying to “figure out” how to adapt his driving style to Renault’s R.S.19, following five years of using front-running Formula 1 machinery.
Ricciardo raced for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018 and had a race-winning car in all bar one season, scoring seven wins overall and placing third in the standings on two occasions.
For 2019 Ricciardo has made the move to a Renault team that is still ostensibly in the midfield, having failed to make it through to Q3 so far this season.
Ricciardo has had a subdued start to his Renault career and says he is still getting accustomed to driving with less grip.
“I’m carrying quite a bit of entry speed at the moment, but killing everything on the exit,” he said.
“I’m probably used to carrying a lot of entry speed. In a way, part of it could be overdriving with the current grip I’ve got.
“So just bringing that back and understanding the best way to execute a fast lap with this car.
“In debriefs, I hear the way Nico [Hulkenberg] talks and describes the car. I am starting to get that this is a different beast and he is obviously very comfortable.
“I made some comments [in Bahrain about] the way the car responded, and I was a bit surprised, but he said that is just normal, that is how this car is.
“So I’m trying to learn from his experience with it, it is getting there. The positive for me is that I still know that there is a lot from me to still gain from this car. They way I see it is that it is only going to get better.
“I just hope it happens sooner, but it is going to be a bit of a process. A few grands prix should be okay.”
Ricciardo pointed to his 2014 move to Red Bull – and the manner in which Charles Leclerc has adapted to Ferrari – to outline the differences in changing machinery.
“I knew it would take time, but in my heart, I just expected to jump in the car first lap be like sweet, we are going to be good,” he said.
“So coming a step back as far as grip and handling, it is no secret that we are not on the pace of the car I had last year. So that is something I need to figure out again.
“In Charles’ situation coming up his seat this year, it is a bit like me when I came from Toro Rosso to Red Bull.
“Everything becomes easier, you have more grip, and it is like ‘oh wow the car can do this’?
“So it is a bit of patience and discipline for me, but that is cool. It is challenging in itself to learn that and figure it out. In a way that is exciting so that is cool.”
