Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull feels more prepared to have a strong Formula One season than at any point since he joined.
When Ricciardo stepped up from Toro Rosso to Red Bull in 2014 it had just won four consecutive drivers' and constructors' titles, but the team has failed to produce a competitive package since the introduction of V6 engines that same year. After a promising pre-season Ricciardo is excited heading to his home race in Australia.
"We are certainly more ready than we were last year, and probably every year before that since I've been with the team," Ricciardo said. "We did a lot of laps and I think the pace of the car is not bad, but we still have some things to improve, which is normal. But, yes, going to the race and having confidence to push the car on the limit and push the engine a little bit -- I think we have much more confidence now.
"We'll see. I think Ferrari and Mercedes will be quick and other teams I don't know... some teams put in some quick times during testing, so Melbourne is going to be interesting."
Making accurate comparisons or judgements in winter testing is always difficult but Ricciardo is encouraged by how Red Bull's car improved over the course of the pre-season.
I think we are there were some runs we looked strong and others we struggled a bit with balance. I think looking across the field everyone had their moments of strong laps and then some weaknesses so we are trying and testing. Sometimes you put things on the car and it doesn't work but most things we put on the car [in the second week] seemed to help so that is encouraging. Red Bull is expected to bring a significant upgrade package to Australia.
Speaking of that plan, Ricciardo said: "There will be a few more parts on it so hopefully some go-faster parts. Yes, I'll be a little bit lighter in Australia and everything to try and get a bit more lap time out of it."