Ricciardo: I don’t really know where we’re going

Daniel Ricciardo says he remains in the dark about the 2020 Formula 1 season like the rest of the world amid the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing postponements as he adjusts to life without racing.

The Renault driver took part in a special Q&A on the team’s Instagram account from his Australian training base to give fans an update on what he has been up to since the cancellation of his home round, the Australian Grand Prix, over two weeks ago.

With Ricciardo uncertain on when the F1 season will properly start, he wants to remain race-ready in terms of his fitness and mental preparation but concedes the cancellation of both the Monaco and Australian rounds came as a blow.

“I’m not like racing laps in my head yet, because I don’t know what track we’re going to be racing on,” Ricciardo said. “I watched an onboard of Monaco last night and got a bit sad. I don’t really know where we’re going to be. That one hurt me.

“They are all going to hurt. Melbourne being so close as well. The reality is setting in unfortunately.”

Ricciardo says he is able to keep focused through training programmes and expects the whole F1 grid to be raring to go once the coronavirus crisis eases and major sporting events can be run safely.

“Training is definitely the thing that’s keeping me with that competitive mindset. You can get a bit of anger out when you train, so that’s been my medicine for now,” he said.

“It’s been nice knowing we’ve got time and we don’t have to rush. I think you’re going to see a lot of drivers, and people in general, when this is over all look pretty fit.

“I’ve got some buggies here and I have set up some tracks so I am getting a racing fix so that has helps release some of that speed and adrenaline.”

F1 boss Chase Carey confirmed the sport aims to run 15 to 18 races in 2020 at start the season “at some point during the summer” once the coronavirus pandemic passes.

“We recognise there is significant potential for additional postponements in currently scheduled events, nonetheless we and our partners fully expect the season to start at some point this summer, with a revised calendar of between 15-18 races,” Carey said.

Currently, the F1 season is scheduled to get underway at the Canadian Grand Prix on June 14, but doubts on that timeframe remain during the developing global health situation. So far, the opening eight F1 rounds have all been postponed or cancelled.