Townsville Bulletin

Ricciardo expecting F1 ‘chaos’

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Daniel Ricciardo is expecting a chaotic return to Formula One but the Renault driver is raring to go after the coronaviru­s suspension.

The plan is to begin racing behind ‘closed ed doors’ in Aus- tria on July 5.

D r i v e r s ’ representa­tive Alex Wurz described F1’s safe- ty planning as “immaculate” ahead of the planned launch of a truncated championsh­ip that Ricciardo believes could get off to an interestin­g start.

“(It will be) some form of chaos, hopefully in a controlled manner,” the Australian told BBC Radio Five Live.

“I am not really referencin­g cars everywhere. But there is going to be so much rust, a combinatio­n of emotion, excitement, eagerness.”

On the subject of returning to racing at the Red Bull Ring in July, Ricciardo added: “Everyone is going to be ready to go. You are going to get some guys who perform on that level of adrenaline and others who might not. So you’re going to get some bold overtakes, some miscalcula­ted ones.

“You’re going to see a bit of everything, I’m sure.”

Ricciardo has been hunkered down on his farm near Perth during a lockdown that is keeping him safe and sane, but it has meant several months without driving.

“If this was my first year or two in F1, if I was still not completely adapted to it, my answer would be yes (it would take my body time to get used to driving again),” he said.

“But winter testing is normally a good reference point. My first few winter testings, day one always felt like a bit of a shock to the system again.”

 ?? Picture: Getty ?? BLOODY START: Henry Cejudo celebrates after defeating Dominick Cruz in their bantamweig­ht title fight, and (inset) Justin Gaethje beats Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweigh­t crown at UFC 249.
Picture: Getty BLOODY START: Henry Cejudo celebrates after defeating Dominick Cruz in their bantamweig­ht title fight, and (inset) Justin Gaethje beats Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweigh­t crown at UFC 249.
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