McLaren pain expected to continue for Daniel Ricciardo after horror F1 start

Daniel Ricciardo says McLaren need to learn as much as they can about their new car following a shocking start to the Formula 1 season.

The British team were in all sorts of troublein the opening race of the season in Bahrain, off the pace and fighting at the back of the field.

Ricciardo finished 14th, a place ahead of teammate Lando Norris, but they only finished so high because three cars well ahead of them retired late in the race.

F1 has gone through a massive regulation change and it was clear after the year's first grand prix that McLaren have a lot of work to do to make their car competitive.

Ricciardo's start to the season was also hampered when he missed the final pre-season testing session because of COVID, missing precious time learning the new car.

Heading into the year's second race, the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix on Monday morning Australian time, Ricciardo said the improvements needed to climb up the grid wouldn't happen quickly.

«The Bahrain Grand Prix was tough, and not how we wanted to start the season, but we're putting together our plan to get higher up the grid,' the Australian said.

»We know we might not get there in one weekend, so we're focused on learning as much as we can at every event."

F1's first visit to the Jeddah street circuit last yearwas a positive experience for McLaren.

Ricciardo finished fifth while Norris was 10th.

Ferrari go into the Saudi raceoff the back of their first grand prix victory in two and a half years.

Ferrari are winners in Formula 1 again as Charles Leclerc takes victory in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

The one-two finish for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz was an early warning shot to their rivals that the Italian outfitwill be a force to be reckoned with in 2022.

But