The Australian is yet to score any championship points so far this Formula 1 season, with his retirement from last week’s Saudi Grand Prix adding to his rocky start to 2022.
As well as being forced to miss the final pre-season tests in Bahrain due to his positive for COVID-19, McLaren’s MCL36 lacks downforce and the team is working on improvements to move closer to the front of the grid.
Ricciardo says he wants to be realistic about how long it will take at Woking to make the necessary changes to his car, so he doesn’t anticipate any quick jumps in pace.
Asked by Motorsport.com if he was up for a long and tough job, the Australian said: “Yes, I think so, and I think you have to get your head together.”
“If two races from now we’re fighting for the top five, then that’s fine, we’ll take it, and that’s a bonus.”
“But I think mentally, to remain calm, collected and level-headed, you have to realize that we’re not looking for three or four tenths. It’s about more than a second if we want to fight for wins.”
“So I doubt it’s going to happen overnight. We have to be patient. And I think it’s important for the team’s well-being to do that. It’s too early to make a fuss.”
Although McLaren are not in the form they wanted to be at this point in the year, Ricciardo has faith that the Woking team have the ability to turn things around over the course of this season.
“If it arrives, it will be a little later than desired,” he explained. “Without getting ahead of [myself], if we were to win a race at some point this year, I wouldn’t really be surprised because I still believe in the team and the processes that we have in place.”
“I think we have the people to get the job done. And I know I have 100% faith, and I believe in people like Andreas [Seidl].”
“Obviously, a week ago, it was a bit of, let’s call it, crisis mode. I think we’ve come out of that pretty quickly.”
“But it is true that we have to straighten the course and I think he is at least one of the best to do it. So ask me in six months and maybe I will not be surprised with where we are,” Ricciardo concluded.
