The Sochi Autodrom has not been the kindest of tracks to Daniel Ricciardo over the years, with only one points finish in his previous three visits, a seventh place finish in 2014.
The Red Bull Racing driver was forced to retire in the closing stages of in 2015 whilst running inside the points, but finished eleventh last year after early dramas as he got caught up in the first turn clash between Sebastian Vettel and Daniil Kvyat that saw him pit for repairs that saw him fall to the back of the field.
Ricciardo believes that the track should have rubbered in more now it is the fourth time at the circuit, and believes it will be a more enjoyable experience this time around as a result.
“Now that we’ve been to the track a few times I think the tarmac will be better,” said Ricciardo. “It’s a bit like Austin in the first few years, when it took a while to bed in. But I expect this year for the track to be grippy and with these cars it should be quite fast.
“I would say it’s going to be more enjoyable than it has been so I’m looking forward to that. It’s also a pretty busy track. There is not much room to rest. Yeah there is a long straight but other than that there is quite a bit going on. It keeps you thinking.
“Some parts of the track remind me a bit of India. Kind of flat and you can take the curbs quite easily. There are also a lot of third and fourth gear corners. The layout has definitely grown on me since we started racing there.”
