F1 News
Daniel Ricciardo: "Target for France is repeating Canada form"
Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
Renault star Daniel Ricciardo hopes to replicate the team's form of the Canadian Grand Prix in France this weekend, as Renault had their best result of the season with Ricciardo finishing sixth and teammate Nico Hülkenberg seventh.
Ricciardo had an incredible outing in qualifying at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, putting his RS19 on P4 on the starting grid before finishing in sixth place, beating Hülkenberg and the Red Bull of Pierre Gasly.
It was a very strong performance from the Aussie, who thinks Renault are finally coming to form after a difficult start to the season.
"We entered the season with a lot of expectation on us," the 29-year-old said.
"I think we’re really starting to come up and show our true pace.
"I’m glad the team enjoyed a strong weekend as it’s been stressful at times, but we kept working and now I’m optimistic this is the start of heading on the right path. There’s clearly a lot more work to do to catch up to our expectations, but fighting with the front three for a part of the Canada race was a lot of fun."
With Renault's home Grand Prix in France coming up, Ricciardo knows there will be extra eyeballs on his team, and he'll need to show his best side at Le Castellet.
"I know it’s a significant race for them and how much it means to everyone involved.
The target for France has to be repeating the form of Canada. The team had good pace at Paul Ricard last year, so there’s certainly a good feeling there. We have some upgrades, which should mean the start of a trend of our true pace.
"It’s coming along well and, as the car gets better, I’m also growing in confidence and I’ll keep getting better with it."
