Daniel Ricciardo believes Red Bull is more prepared for the new Formula 1 season than at any time since he joined the team.
Red Bull completed 574 laps during the second pre-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, fewer than only Mercedes and Ferrari, to add to the 209 from the first test.
Having started slowly in 2016 and 2017, before making impressive in-season development, Red Bull re-adjusted its preparations in order to begin on a stronger platform in 2018.
Ricciardo feels the team has enjoyed its strongest build-up to a new season since he joined from Toro Rosso in 2014.
“We’re certainly more ready than last year, and probably every year before that since I’ve been with the team” said Ricciardo, who set the fourth best time overall.
“We did a lot of laps, the pace is not bad, [there’s] things to improve, [which] is.
“Going to the race, we have the confidence to push the car on the limit and push the engine a little bit, I think we have much more confidence now.”
Ricciardo suggested that Mercedes, and potentially Ferrari, is in front of Red Bull as it stands, but expressed confidence that his team is “in the hunt” heading to his home Grand Prix in Australia.
“We had some strong pace in testing at times and then you see others, you think you’re there and then you’re like ‘ah I don’t know’,” he said.
“I don’t think we’re yet the fastest car, [but] I think we’ve still got to be in the hunt.
“We do have some lap time to find but I do believe we’re in the ballpark. We’re there or thereabouts.”
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