Ahead of next weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a number of drivers on the grid found themselves together in rather more relaxed circumstances at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
It’s one of the few opportunities for today’s Formula 1 giants to drive the older crop of racing models, in the public eye, on a circuit alongside each other. This year, Daniel Ricciardo, fresh into his contract at Renault, had a chance to drive everything (in anger) from the firm’s hardcore new Mégane Trophy-R to the race-winning 2012 Renault-powered E20 F1 car.
In between his time at the wheel and being physically mobbed by fans of all ages, Autocar grabbed five minutes with Ricciardo to talk shop.
How are you feeling about tackling the hillclimb, in the rain, in a car you’re not that familiar with (the 2012 F1 car)?
"It’s actually easier now! I’d probably be more nervous if it was dry as I was going to put pressure on myself - I was tempted to scare myself a bit and go all out, so it’s probably safer this way."
It’s been a less-than-perfect season so far for Renault. Are you now thinking ahead to 2020, or do you have an idea of how to improve things now?
"I have not thought one bit about 2020. The season for me still feels like it's starting - I know we’ve done a lot of races now, but there’s still so much more for me and the team to deliver. To already think next year seems premature.
"We’ve definitely got an idea of what we need to be improving; unfortunately, when we tried to address those things with the upgrade in France, it didn’t seem to tackle all of them. We know what we’ve gotta do. Myself and Nico [Hülkenberg] are giving the same feedback on where we feel the car can be stronger and where the weaknesses lie. I think we’ve pinpointed it but executing it is taking a bit of time."
Are you looking forward to Silverstone this weekend?
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Peter, of all the people to
Peter, of all the people to criticise writing style...
What’s your penny worth?
It read like a interview gotten by chance,wasn’t arranged, questions not written,an on the Hoof interview, good?, just about, what did you think of Daniels interview....?
What?!
That read like half an interview, also, it was either typed too quickly and words missed out, or Daniel does miss words out, but on the whole it was an enlightening article.