Ricciardo hopes updated Red Bull will be "a bullet"

The Milton Keynes-based squad, which has lagged behind Ferrari and Mercedes in the opening part of the 2017 campaign, is planning to introduce what Helmut Marko described as a "massive" update package in time for next month's Barcelona race.

Ricciardo, whose best result of the season so far has been a fourth place in China, said he hopes the revamped RB13 is competitive enough to be able to take on the top two teams.

He said he took encouragement from the fact that Red Bull was off the pace in Sochi last year before going on to be competitive at Barcelona and Monaco, two circuits where chassis performance is key.

"I hope for a bit of a bullet, something fast," Ricciardo said. "We want to be in a three-way fight with Ferrari and Mercedes, that is what I would hope for - something that puts us in that fight.

"Looking here at qualifying last year, we were a second-and-a-half off pole and went to Barcelona and were half-a-second off, and then at Monaco we were quick.

"So it's a time of the year we should see some updates take place. We need a bit of everything now, we’ve talked about downforce, feeling a bit in the rear.

"We’ve had a bit of time to look at Ferrari, they have been in front of us for a few races. They look strong, and Mercedes as well, they are carrying a bit more at the rear and that is where a lot of lap time is these days."

Half a second target

Ricciardo added he would be satisfied if the chassis update - which is set to be followed by a major Renault power unit upgrade in Canada - got Red Bull to within half a second of the pacesetters.

"I am confident it will be better than what we have got now," said the Australian. "That is all we can ask for – an improvement. Like last year we made that step and then could keep chipping away at it.

"It is important to make the first step, so let’s hope we can do that in Barcelona. If we can get within half a second, that will be good."