Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo sees himself as a “pretty complete driver” but he knows he can always keep learning and evolving.
After moving from junior team Toro Rosso to Red Bull in 2014 Ricciardo exploded onto the scene beating his more experienced and decorated team-mate Sebastian Vettel on regular occasions along with recording his first three wins in his Formula One career.
Following on from a great first season with Red Bull Ricciardo struggled to continue improving in 2015, with an under-par chassis plus poor reliability and performance from the Renault power unit, Ricciardo could do nothing to add to his impressive podium haul from 2014. Scoring just two podium finishes Ricciardo eventually ended the season eighth in the drivers’ championship with Red Bull falling behind both Ferrari and Williams in the constructors’ standings.
Speaking to Autosport Ricciardo explained how this has improved him: “I’ve experienced most things now and it’s made me appreciate things.”
“In 2014, I was grateful for the podiums and wins I had, and after having some tough races last year, I appreciate the good moments even more.
“I just appreciate my position in the sport, being in the sport and being with a top team.
“I see myself as a pretty complete driver now, I don’t want to be naive and I can always learn and keep evolving.”
Ricciardo was linked with Ferrari last season but the Australia does not plan to start thinking about 2017 until at least the midway point of the 2016 season.
“I’m not looking that far forward yet,” he said. “I don’t tend to look too far ahead anyway as a lot of things can happen.
“I definitely want to get the season started and make sure I start on the right foot and get myself where I need to be.
“Then as the season reaches the mid-point you can start thinking about 2017 and all the rest of it.
“For now, it’s just about this year. My two years with Red Bull have been pretty different.
“I’ve had highs and lows, we’ve gone through quite a bit together and now we have some good stability.
“I’ve got the same engineers and I think this year can be a very good one for us so I’m excited.”
Ricciardo will be back in the Red Bull tomorrow for the second day of the final test in Barcelona.
