Daniel Ricciardo: “I was smiling all day”
2 December, 2009
Daniel Ricciardo was smiling all day at Jerez
Red Bull Racing’s young driver Daniel Ricciardo was pleased with his first full test day – and advice from Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber helped him to the fourth fastest time in Jerez.
Daniel Ricciardo at the wheel of the Red Bull Racing RB5
“I’ve done an aero test before, so I’ve done a straight-line thing, but it’s the first time I’ve turned some corners so just to feel the grip was pretty amazing. I didn’t stop smiling all day as I expected,” said the 20-year-old racer. “The team was really good and let me do my own thing and once I was comfortable we started working and try to get everyone up to speed early for next year.”
An early morning spin didn’t put Daniel off his stride, and he was prepared by the work he’d done in Milton Keynes.
“The time in the simulator helped, – even just to learn the circuit because I had never been here before, but I thought the layout of the simulator was good and you can definitely take some things from that.”
And the advice from Mark?
“He gave me a call last night just giving me a bit of a heads-up before the test and let me know what to expect. He was cool, he just said chill out and the main thing was to enjoy it and I definitely did that, so I’ll give him a call tonight and see what he thinks.”
Driver: Daniel Ricciardo
Car: RB5-02
Time: 1:19.534
Laps: 113
Andy Soucek (Williams) 1:19.158
Daniel Ricciardo
Several teams are at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit for what has been designated a ‘young driver test’, a measure introduced as a result of the ban on in-season testing. Red Bull Racing is fielding this year’s British Formula 3 Champion and Red Bull Junior Driver, Daniel Ricciardo.
Although the Australian suffered a spin early on in today’s testing, he was soon back on track and ended the day with the fourth fastest time.
“I don’t think I stopped smiling all day,” he said after the session was over. “Working with the team was great and they let me go at my own pace until I built up some confidence. After that, we began working on things that will be useful for next season. This was the first time I’ve ever driven a Formula One car round corners, having previously only done a straight line test and I have to say, it’s got more grip than anything else I’ve ever driven.”
The team was impressed with Daniel’s first drive and, as he seems to have survived the physical demands of a day in the cockpit of a Formula One car, he should be back in action tomorrow, when the testing continues.
Related posts:
- F2 champion Soucek wants F1 seat
- Jerez test: Bianchi makes Ferrari F1 debut
- Young driver F1 test kicks off at Jerez
- Ricciardo to have Red Bull F1 test
- Young drivers to test F1 in December
