Ricciardo wants to make most of home race, targets F1 title bid

Daniel Ricciardo is aiming to banish the memories of previous disappointing home races by laying the foundations for a Formula 1 title bid at this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix. 

The Australian, whose best career result at Melbourne is a fourth place finish from 2016, suffered a frustrating home race last year as he crashed out of qualifying. 

Due to start from 15th, Ricciardo encountered further problems on his way to the grid, forcing him into the pitlane for repairs. He eventually rejoined the race from the pitlane two laps down on the rest of the field, but retired at half-distance with a fuel pressure problem. 

“Not starting last year wasn't fun at all - It has to be more fun,” Ricciardo said at the drivers’ pre-race press conference in Australia on Thursday.

“Even little things like last year we missed the anthem on the grid because I was in the garage trying to get the thing going. 

“I missed a lot of the Sunday build-up which was not fun, so for sure this preparation is going to be more fun this weekend and we'll see where that fun takes us.”

Pre-season testing at Barcelona suggested Red Bull could be in the mix for world championship title contention, with Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton labelling Red Bull as its biggest threat heading into the new campaign. 

Hamilton reiterated his belief that Red Bull will be challenging from the off at Albert Park this weekend - something Ricciardo is hoping will prove a reality. 

“This is a year which our prep has been good and I really hope Lewis is right that we will have a chance to fight for the title and then that’ll ultimately make me very happy.

“We had a good winter, I think it's all there in front of us now. I think we're still the top three teams with Merc and Ferrari and us. 

“I think we're still going to be leading the pack for now. Hopefully we're deep in that front group and have the chance to stand up on that podium.”