The manner in which Renault’s R.S.19 responded to set-up changes and development parts acts as a boost for the manufacturer, according to its new recruit Daniel Ricciardo.
Ricciardo, following a decade-long affiliation with Red Bull, linked up with Renault at this week’s Barcelona F1 test for his first on-track action in the team’s R.S.19.
Aside from a DRS flap failure on Tuesday morning Ricciardo enjoyed a relatively smooth four days, as he split track time with team-mate Nico Hulkenberg on each day.
"It is hard to ask too much in terms of testing as it never runs perfect, or I have never been in a perfect one in pre-season," Ricciardo.
"So the first couple of days were slow just getting laps in. On Wednesday I got more in.
"I didn’t get in as much [on Thursday] but it was more the runs we were doing, shorter with more set up changes, so that took more time.
"It was quite useful for me, just going through set ups, feeling that they actually did something to the car, that was quite positive.
"When a car is numb and does not respond to changes, that normally is not a good sign. So after these four days it feels pretty positive."
On the pace of rivals, Ricciardo said: "I am still very curious to know what Ferrari and Mercedes and those guys are doing.
"If I had to put money on it, Ferrari have been the most consistent all test, but even after next week we are not going to know until Melbourne."
