Ricciardo looking forward to building 'rhythm' in F1 triple-header

Ricciardo sits tenth in the drivers’ championship after the opening six rounds of the season.

Although the Australian has scored points in five of the first six races, Ricciardo has often languished well behind teammate Lando Norris, who has two podium finishes to his name.

F1 embarks on its first triple-header of the season, heading to Paul Ricard in France before two races in Austria at the Red Bull Ring.

“I have criticized that place [Paul Ricard] in the past for being too open,” Ricciardo said. “But I think after Baku some of us will be glad that we have some runoff. I look forward to it. Three on the bounce. 

“I think I need it at the moment just to keep in the car and keep in the rhythm. I’m looking forward to that. We leave here upbeat and keep charging on.”

Ricciardo feels ‘more traditional venues’ will allow him to speed up his adaptation of McLaren’s 2021 challenger.

“I have always liked street circuits but I think at the moment a more conventional circuit would be a little more kind, and I’m looking forward to these three on the bounce now, familiar circuits, and to keep the momentum going. It is a good time for some conventional tracks and a triple-header,” Ricciardo added.

“When you’re trying to learn any sport, the best way to learn is practice and doing it. The unique thing with our sport is that we cannot do it every day, we cannot just go out tomorrow and run a few laps. 

“So having three consecutive weekends and putting in a practice consecutively will fast-track my progress. We have the simulator and these things help, but in the simulator, the walls don’t hurt so it is never quite the same.”