Ricciardo thinking ‘selfishly’ about Ocon move

Daniel Ricciardo is thinking “selfishly” about Esteban Ocon becoming his team-mate, seeing him as another way to improve.

Ricciardo will be joined in what will be his second season with Renault by Ocon, who was signed to replace the outgoing Nico Hulkenberg once Mercedes opted to stick with Valtteri Bottas for the 2020 season.

Ocon was forced to spend a year on the sidelines as reserve and development driver at the Silver Arrows after losing his SportPesa Racing Point seat and seeing his other potential options dry up.

But, as he prepares to make his return next season, Ricciardo is looking forward to the challenge and is also viewing his new team-mate as way for him to become an even better driver, too.

“For me, the way I see a new team-mate actually is, selfishly, a way to improve,” Ricciardo told Ziggo Sport.

“Every driver has something different. It is impossible to better in every phase of every corner on every single day.

“Naturally, you’re not always going to be faster. Even if it is one corner then you can still learn something.

“Having another driver in is another way for me to study, to learn, to improve, ok it’s not great for the team with stability, but with driving it is a chance to learn more.

“I’m looking forward to it and it should be fun.”

Ricciardo is contracted to Renault until the end of the 2020 season and is looking for the Enstone team to tick another big box next year with the chassis after making improvements with their power unit this campaign.

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