Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull & Mercedes haven't shown true performance yet

Speaking to the official Formula 1 website, McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo has said that he feels both Mercedes and Red Bull have a lot more to give in terms of performance than they showed at the first test in Barcelona last week.

Mercedes finished the final day on top of the timesheets last week with Red Bull tucking in behind them but in the days prior we’d seen Ferrari and McLaren both go quicker – though it’s always hard to truly call where each team is after just a few days of running.

Indeed, it does seem like most teams are keeping their powder somewhat dry before the next test in Bahrain and then the first race at the Sakhirt circuit later this month, and the Aussie believes that is certainly what the Mercs and Bulls have been doing.

He said:

“I think we’re in a good spot, but there’s always something to work on and improve.

“So, we’ll give the team some data to work with and some areas of work to do [and] I’ll focus on what I can keep doing better.

“Overall, a pretty flawless three days for the team, a really awesome start to the season. Thanks to everyone back at [the factory] for putting the hard work in over the winter to put us in this position.

“In any case, still your Red Bulls, your Mercs, they haven’t showed really anything yet.

“So we’ll see what happens when that kind of opens up a little more. But for now, focusing on ourselves… just trying to figure out still where we’re [weak].

“I think I know our strengths already, so just trying to know work on the weaknesses from a driving and a set-up point of view.”