Ricciardo ‘curious’ to test updated Renault F1 car in Austria

Daniel Ricciardo says he is “curious to gauge” Renault’s updated Formula 1 car when it hits the track for the first time during Friday practice for this weekend’s season-opening Austrian Grand Prix.

Renault has brought a triple upgrade package to Austria as part of its aggressive development plan for the 2020 season, with parts originally scheduled for rounds in Vietnam, the Netherlands and Spain set to debut on the R.S.20 at the Red Bull Ring on Friday.

The team struggled in Austria last year as Ricciardo could only start and finish 12th, and the Australian is intrigued to see how much progress Renault has made in 12 months.

“This is a circuit which wasn't a great one for us last year,” said Ricciardo.

“I'm actually very happy to come back here, not only once but twice. You certainly learn more from your worst days, or least good circuits.

“We obviously drove the car in Barcelona, but it will be not only a different car but different circumstances on this circuit. If it's improved, I think it's only going to get better.

“I'm excited for what we've got coming here this weekend. I'm very curious to gauge it to the car I drove here last year.

"It was a pretty tough weekend for us, so I'm very optimistic that we're going to find quite a lot, not only with this year's car, but now with the updates we're going to have.”

Renault was the only team to conduct a private test at the Red Bull Ring ahead of the first race of the season as Ricciardo and teammate Esteban Ocon each completed a day’s running behind the wheel of the French manufacturer’s 2018 car.

Ocon said he is excited to see where Renault stacks up against its rivals following a difficult 2019 campaign for the team.

“We've seen how much progress the car has [had],” Ocon explained.

“In the last couple of months we’ve gone through, before the shutdown, the team has [had lots of] work going on at the factory.

“The car's going to be very different of course to the one we were supposed to race in Melbourne, so that's going to be very exciting for us, to see who has worked the best in... that quiet period – and hopefully it's going to bring some surprises.”