The Australian has yet to score a championship point so far this season, with a retirement from last week’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix adding to his troubled start to 2022.
As well as being forced to miss the final pre-season test in Bahrain because of COVID, McLaren’s MCL36 is lacking downforce and the team is currently working on fixes to get itself nearer the front of the grid.
Ricciardo says he is remaining realistic about just how long it will take McLaren to deliver the necessary upgrades to its car – so he is not anticipating any swift leap forward in pace.
Asked by Autosport if he was prepared for a long slog, Ricciardo said: “Yeah, I think so – and I think you have to mentally.
“Look, if in two races’ time, we’re fighting for top five, then okay, we’ll take it and that’s a bonus.
“But I think mentally to remain, let’s say, calm and chill and level-headed and sensible, you need to realise that we’re not looking for three or four tenths. It’s over a second if…
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