Ricciardo frustrated by unrepresentative F1 testing

Daniel Ricciardo was left frustrated by the unrepresentative track conditions at Barcelona, despite setting the pace on the opening day of pre-season testing ahead of the 2018 Formula 1 season. 

The Red Bull driver ended the first day of running at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya fastest with a time of 1:20.179’s - set during the morning session. Track conditions deteriorated throughout the afternoon as temperatures plummeted and rain hit during the final hours of testing.

Barcelona has hosted F1 pre-season testing every year since 2014 - when Jerez and Bahrain alternated - but Ricciardo believes other circuits would provide better conditions for testing, despite there being a consensus among teams that the Spanish Grand Prix venue is the best option given the quality of the track for data gathering and weather conditions, as well as boasting logistical advantages. 

“I am a bit frustrated as well because although we had a good day, when we come here in May it is a completely different track,” Ricciardo said. “So part of me wishes we were somewhere else like Bahrain where you can get some real testing in real temperatures. 

“I know it is convenient for the teams here, it is close in Europe, but we learned a lot about reliability today but other than that - sure the car is not a dog and feels pretty good - but it is going to be completely different when we race. I don’t want to be negative but it is a bit frustrating when you can’t do too much.”

However, the Australian was pleased with the progress Red Bull and Renault appears to have made with regards to reliability, having racked up over 100 laps - the most mileage completed by any team. 

“It was a good day. It was nice to see yourself at the top of the times, but it is always hard to get a gauge on that, especially day one. I don’t think we’ve ever done 100 laps on day one. Not since I’ve been with the team. That is positive.

“One run was 35 laps or something, so that is positive. The pace does not seem to be too bad, so a good day. But with the temperatures you can only learn so much. This afternoon we figured out reliability things but performance you really can’t learn anything when it is two degrees track temperature.”

When asked if Red Bull’s RB14 felt like it had championship-winning pedegree, Ricciardo replied: “Potentially yeah, but it is very early. Today was positive but the reality is that we are never going to drive in these conditions.

"It is hard to know if it is the best, but you feel if you have got a bad car or a pretty good car. It wasn’t bad, so that is good. I was not crying so it was a positive day.”