Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo happy with Formula 1 pre ...

24 Feb 2024

Australia's two Formula 1 drivers say their cars are showing the pace they expect ahead of the season opener next weekend.

Daniel Ricciardo - Figure 1
Photo ABC News

F1's three-day testing ended on Saturday morning AEDT, with all 10 teams getting in as many laps as they could before the start of the 24-race season in Bahrain next weekend.

Oscar Piastri, entering his second season of F1, said he was pleased with his McLaren's performance.

"I think testing has been good and we've definitely developed the car from last year," he said.

"I completed plenty of laps and feel pretty fit.

"We're in decent shape and more or less where we expected to be, but we still have some work to do."

McLaren comes into the new season with plenty to be confident about.

After starting 2023 in poor form, the team turned it around mid-season to come home with a wet sail.

They impressively rose up to fourth in the constructors' championship after looking like a backmarker in the opening grand prix of the year.

The team had nine grands prix podiums (Norris 7, Piastri 2) while Piastri claimed victory in the sprint race at Qatar.

Fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo had similar comments about his RB (formerly AlphaTauri).

Daniel Ricciardo prepares to drive his RB out of the garage during day three of F1 testing in Bahrain.(Getty Images: Rudy Carezzevoli)

Ricciardo has had a full pre-season to get used to his car.

He joined the team mid-way through 2023 when he replaced then-rookie Nick de Vries.

"In terms of performance, I think we're where we expected to be," the West Australian said.

"We're aiming to fight in the midfield group and we'll try to make the most of what we got.

"Overall, it was a smooth test, so I don't think we leave here with any concerns."

The new F1 season begins next weekend, with the opening race to be held early on Sunday, March 3, AEDT.

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Posted 13 hours agoSat 24 Feb 2024 at 3:48am

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