SLOW OUT OF THE BLOCKS

DANIEL Ricciardo admits he was in learning mode as he made his official testing debut for new team Renault in Barcelona yesterday — but he can’t wait to develop his “new relationship”.

The Australian hit the track for his first official testing session in his new yellow and black machine on the first day of Formula One testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Ricciardo completed 44 laps during his session in the car with a best lap time of 1:20.983, which was the slowest time among the 11 drivers that hit the track on day one.

But the Perth racer wasn’t necessarily concerned with his place in the standings, rather settling into his new car and building mileage in what he described as a “promising” start ahead of next month’s Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

Ricciardo stunned the F1 world last year when he switched to the French manufacturer after five years with Red Bull Racing.

“It’s a good feeling to be behind the wheel of a Formula One car again after a long winter waiting,’’ Ricciardo said after the practice session.

“Today was about bedding ourselves back into it and, for me, continuing to learn about a new car and a new team. It was a decent afternoon and it’s important we keep increasing our mileage.’’

Ricciardo’s teammate Nico Hulkenberg had the first stint in the car on day one and completed 65 laps with a best time of 1:20.980.