Ricciardo: 'Fans, get yourselves to a fast corner this year'!

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Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo reckons that anyone watching F1 in a fast corner this year will be thrilled with what they see.

The smiling 'Honeybadger' was obviously referring to the exciting spectacle to which fans will be treated this year thanks to increased downforce and wider tyres, the combination of which will make this season's cars way faster.

"The cars are going to be quicker, the tyres wider, so maybe on some narrow circuits it could be a bit trickier, especially with a wider car," said the Aussie.

"That might make the available room for opportunity slightly less. But if you're a fan, get yourself to a fast corner. Whatever track you're at, find one of the quick corners to really see what we're doing."

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Ricciardo says that he won't require a hundred laps to know if he has a fast car or not when pre-season testing gets underway, and he is prepared regardless.

"There are so few test days available. You know track time is important for the car, for development, but it's also important for us physically.

"I know that my pre-season has been the best I've had in terms of physical preparation but it's still not driving a race car.

"After the reliability is settled you want to go through a corner and feel in your bottom that it's a fast car. Once you do one flying lap, you get an idea. It's just the way it brakes and turns – you just know.

"Hopefully, it's a good feeling, that first timed lap."

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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.