Canada the “best test yet” for Renault’s F1 engine - Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo believes this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix will prove the “best test yet” to measure the success of Renault’s latest Formula 1 engine. 

The French manufacturer introduced an upgraded power unit two races ago in Spain in a bid to boost both performance and reliability amid a disappointing start to the season.

It was hoped the change would enable Renault to run its engine in a more powerful configuration throughout a race weekend, though the team has managed just one points finish in the last three rounds and languishes eighth in the constructors’ championship heading to Montreal.

“This will be a good test for it,” Ricciardo said. 

“We know we’ve definitely made progress through the year. We were encouraged by Monaco and even Barcelona. 

“This will be the best test yet. I am confident that we will be alright but all right, what does that mean? Hopefully a Q3 car. 

“But remembering what it was like last year, like pulling up the hill to Turn 3 and these places, our recollection was that in a year it has improved a lot. 

“They have not said it will do this or that, but through the upgrade we had for reliability purposes, that seems to be good. 

“Basically it was once we get that then we can start to wind it up. I don’t know if we are going to push it more this weekend than in Monaco. 

“But already having the reliability in a better place on their side, we have already been able to squeeze a bit more out of it. I don’t want to say we will be doing big things yet. I’ll play it cool.”

Teammate Nico Hulkenberg played down concerns over Renault's engine, adding: “I think every weekend is different, every track, but every race shows where you are kind of. 

"It’s always a momentary point of position and picture, but I have no headaches or concerns heading into this weekend about power unit or straight-line speed. I think we’re in good place.”