Set-up errors hamper Red Bull and Ricciardo

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Set-up errors were the story at Red Bull Racing justifying Daniel Ricciardo's relative lag in performance on Friday's opening day of action in Melbourne, but the Aussie is confident he can step up the pace.

Ricciardo was fifth fastest in FP2, over a second from pace setters Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton. The Honey Badger said however that a bit of experimenting with the RB13's set-up balance went in the wrong direction for both himself and team mate Max Verstappen.

"We made some changes [that] probably didn't work out the way Max and myself wanted or expected," said Ricciardo.

"I don't think they're [Mercedes] insanely quick; sure, they are quicker than us at the moment.

"[But] I feel we can still reel some of that advantage in that they've got."

Hamilton enjoys Friday clean sweep!

While Ricciardo isn't hopeful of catching Mercedes at the outset tomorrow, he does feel inroads are possible with changes to his car's settings, and will enable him to challenge Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari for second-best.

"It's fair to say they didn't work as much as we'd like so we'll probably go back a bit and then understand what we can do better for tomorrow.

"Mercedes sure is quick but it's more Lewis than Valtteri.

"Valtteri at the moment looks like he's in our group, or in a group with Ferrari, but I think we can be there.

"This weekend with the right set-up and the right lap in quali we can mix up with Ferrari.

"If Lewis does a perfect lap with his car, then that'll be a stretch to take pole - but we're not too far off. It's more encouraging than not."

GALLERY: all the pics from Friday's action

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.