Ricciardo: Ocon will bring positive dynamic at Renault

Daniel Ricciardo is optimistic he and new Renault teammate Esteban Ocon can form a constructive working relationship as the French manufacturer plots its resurgence in 2020.

Following Ocon’s appointment as Ricciardo’s teammate from this season, with Nico Hulkenberg axed by Renault at the end of 2019, the pair form a new partnership hoped to drive Renault’s charge up the F1 pecking order having fallen behind McLaren last year in the world constructors’ championship.

Despite Ocon having a combative relationship with previous F1 teammates including Sergio Perez at Racing Point, Ricciardo is confident the duo can work together in a positive mindset to lead Renault’s charge.

“I am looking forward to working with Esteban – it’s always exciting to come into a season with a new teammate,” Ricciardo 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.”

While keeping silent on his personal 2020 F1 targets, Ricciardo believes he’ll feel content with his efforts when he is able to maximise the full potential from both his team and the R.S.20.

“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. 

“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. 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.”

After releasing teaser images of its 2020 F1 car, Renault will unveil the full car at the start of pre-season testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 19.