Opening 2022 F1 race will be like an extended test, says McLaren's Ricciardo

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo feels the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix weekend will be like an extended testing session for the drivers and teams while getting used to the new technical regulations.

The 2022 season has been hit with a wave of new technical regulations which will affect the performance and look of cars and it will need a lot of getting used to by teams and drivers. Those that adapt to the new setup soonest are likely to be the teams to beat this season.

Ricciardo thinks things will be taken cautiously at first but which will all change once drivers are used to the new cars.

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"I think we drivers are good enough to be there more or less immediately," Ricciardo told Auto Motor und Sport.

"As the season progresses, we will fine-tune ourselves in parallel with the development of the cars."

What should help things along nicely is the two three-day tests in Barcelona and Bahrain taking place ahead of the first race of 2022.

"Last year, looking back, it was quite difficult for me with only one-and-a-half days in the car before the start of the season," Ricciardo said.

"With three days in the winter tests, it's twice as many. That's why it should be okay. We test first in Barcelona and then in Bahrain. There, the season also starts a week later, which helps.

"In a way, the first race weekend will be an extended test for all of us."

Pre-season testing begins on 23-25 February in in Barcelona and then on 18-20 March in Bahrain.Ricciardo and Lando Norris unveiled McLaren's new challenger, the MCL3, on Friday (11 Feb).