Ricciardo recognises ‘really good step’ made in Baku

Daniel Ricciardo felt his improved showing in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix represented a “really good step” in his harmony level with the MCL36.

The Australian has struggled ever since joining McLaren at the start of 2021, apart from a glorious Italian Grand Prix victory last September.

Put in the shade by his team-mate Lando Norris for the most part, Ricciardo this season has scored only 15 points to the Briton’s 50.

But he did cut the gap slightly in Baku, finishing just 0.349sec ahead of Norris as they came home eighth and ninth – albeit with team orders issued at the end to pay back Ricciardo for having held station earlier in the race.

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A team effort from the drivers, engineers and mechanics in Baku on Sunday, ending with our cars crossing the line together. #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/I3SafqEO5h

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) June 13, 2022

The 32-year-old from Perth admits he is still not where he wants to be with the car, but saw his Azerbaijan display as a breakthrough having also started on the same row of the grid as Norris.

“Every little bit obviously helps at the moment,” Ricciardo told Sky F1. “I think there are still parts where I know I’m not perfect yet with this car, but I think we made a really good step this weekend.

“And also just understanding even more clear, like kind of the direction of set-up and things to help me kind of get the feeling I’ve been craving.

“That’s been positive, and obviously qualifying I was able to