Tough 2015 made Ricciardo ‘more appreciative’

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Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull’s challenging 2015 Formula One campaign made him a “more appreciative” and “more mature” driver.

The Australian enjoyed a breakout year in 2014, winning three grands prix and outperforming world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel. But he could not extend the positive momentum the following season as the Milton Keynes outfit slipped down the pecking order amid growing frustration with engine partner Renault.

“I learned a lot from last year, having a pretty good equipment in 2014 and going back a step for the first part of 2015 and then sort of coming out of that,” Ricciardo said.

“Last year shaped me into being a more appreciative driver. When it was a good day, I felt I really maximise that good day and made the most of it because not every day on track was good.

“It’s just set me up this year for a more mature approach to the sport, a more hungry approach as well because I want more of those good days. Now that we’ve got a better car than we did 12 months ago, I feel I am able to take advantage of those good days more often.”

Ricciardo has been one of the star performers so far this year, though bad luck and questionable strategy calls mean he has not been able to add to his tally of F1 victories. The 26-year-old is able to find solace in Red Bull returning to the sharp end of the field on merit.

“The season so far has been a lot more promising than 2015. At this point of the year, we’ve had genuine chances to win races, to be on podiums. I’ve had quite a few front starts. It’s definitely been more positive.

“I don’t think we’ve lucked into it, a lot of the times we’ve had genuine pace. That’s been a lot more fun... Everyone is happier and more motivated. It seems once you’ve got the performance, it sort of becomes easier.”

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Julien Billiotte