F1 2021: Daniel Ricciardo hits the track for the first time in new McLaren

Daniel Ricciardo has cut his first laps in a McLaren. So how did he go in his first taste of the new Mercedes-powered machine? Watch the video here.

Daniel Ricciardo has hit the track for the first time in a McLaren, admitting it took him time to shake off the “cobwebs” as he gears up for his debut for the team in Bahrain next month.

The day after McLaren’s new Mercedes-powered machine was unveiled, Ricciardo cut his first laps in the car for the team’s promotional filming day at Silverstone.

Ricciardo admitted it took him a little while to settle in after two months out of the car in greasy conditions at the track, but described his first day behind the wheel of a McLaren overall as a “smooth” one.

“Reflecting on my first day in the car, it feels longer than two months (out of it) actually. It always takes a little bit to get the cobwebs out,” Ricciardo said.

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Daniel Ricciardo in the new car.

“I think as well in these conditions, it is greasy, they (the conditions) don’t fill you with a lot of confidence after it’s been a while since being in a car.

“But it’s nice. Everything has run really smooth, we completed what we had to, so really that’s all you can ask for.

“I know the more laps I turn, the more confidence and comfort I will feel with this team.”

Ricciardo, who finished fifth in the drivers’ championship last year, said the team had used the day to work through race-day scenarios as he became familiar with his new crew.

Ricciardo in the pits.

“Every little bit helps, getting up to speed with the team, going through all the procedures,” Ricciardo said.

“Really the plan is and the target is to get to Bahrain Sunday afternoon, be on the grid and for there to be no. panic, it’s really just about feeling comfortable with all the crew.

Daniel Ricciardo has hit the track for the first time in a McLaren as he gears up for his debut with the team at Bahrain next month.

“So we are going through all that, we are trying to go through scenarios that we would face on a race weekend and, yes, we don’t have let’s say the atmosphere around us now, but we can certainly try to replicate it and put a little bit of pressure on ourselves.

“Everything is firing on the right cylinders for now and we are all good.”

Ricciardo will get another chance to settle into his new car in a shortened pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 12-14.

Bahrain will host the opening race of the 2021 Formula One season on March 28 after the postponement of the Australian Grand Prix.

Originally published as F1 2021: Daniel Ricciardo hits the track for the first time in new McLaren