Ricciardo wants to be the best: 'That's why I can really push the car now'

"I'm really looking forward to getting back on track in Spain," Ricciardo echoed in his employer's preview. The Perth-based driver had a somewhat disappointing weekend in Portugal but is hoping for better times. "Having been to two unique circuits in Imola and Portimão, it’ll be good to get some laps in on a circuit I know really well."

Testing takes place at the Barcelona circuit every season, but in 2021 it was in Bahrain for the first time due to the current corona pandemic. "All the teams do so much testing at Barcelona, so we pretty much know what to expect right out of the box. Having so much familiarity with the circuit and the high levels of grip should mean I can really push the car and not have too many other factors to worry about," he explained.

It takes some getting used to with McLaren's new car, but little by little Ricciardo is becoming more familiar and knows how to push the limits better. "I’m feeling more and more comfortable with every race distance, so I’m really excited to see what we can do in the next few races," the Australian said.