Paris (AFP)
Australian Daniel Ricciardo is "fully focused" on Renault when it starts the 2020 Formula 1 season, the last of his two-year contract with the French manufacturer.
While only six drivers out of twenty (Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, Max Verstappen at Red Bull, Esteban Ocon at Renault, George Russell at Williams, Sergio Pérez and Lance Stroll at Racing Point, which will become Aston Martin) are guaranteed to stay in place 2021, the transfer market could be particularly lively.
"In the first months of the year, you will see many pilots trying to make a good impression and this will give good competition, perhaps even psychological games," predicted Ricciardo at the launch by the French manufacturer of his season. 2020 in Paris, Wednesday. "I don't know what's going to happen but it's going to be cool."
Could the Italian driver be interested in a seat at Ferrari, if the German Sebastian Vettel left the Scuderia?
"Honestly, I answer all the calls but (...) for me, it's the first year to get things done with Renault", replies the 30-year-old Australian. "Last year we brought some positive things, but now I feel that the stability is there and that it is the year to consolidate our authority and obtain what we want. So I am fully focused on yellow and France. "
Fifth in the field after a disappointing season in 2019, the French team intends to become fourth again among manufacturers, behind the behemoths Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
"The immediate objective is to relaunch the fight in the middle of the table to regain the lead in McLaren," urges Ricciardo.
"Last year, some mid-table teams (Toro Rosso and McLaren, editor's note) obtained podiums, we want to be one of these teams," he continues. "In my mind, the podium is really the ultimate goal."
To increase cohesion in the ranks of his team, Ricciardo plans "activities far from the track to tighten ties", which he identifies as one of the strengths of his previous house, Red Bull.
© 2020 AFP