F1: Red Bull now at '14 level, Ricciardo says

Red Bull is only just recovering to the performance level it had in the 2014 Formula 1 season, reckons its lead driver Daniel Ricciardo.

Last year's Canadian Grand Prix winner returns to the scene of his first F1 win having yet to get on the podium in 2015, with Red Bull having been comprehensively leapfrogged by Ferrari in the battle behind Mercedes. Although Ricciardo says the Renault engine driveability problems that initially plagued Red Bull are now resolved, he feels that effectively leaves the team half a year behind.

"Since Melbourne, I think more's come from driveability in the engine," he said. "Melbourne was really difficult and I think we're now back on a level where we were last year, but we're six months into this year so we should be ahead of where we were last year.

"We want to be better, but at least we're back to something that we're comfortable driving and the response is closer to what we want."

Although Montreal was the scene of a Red Bull breakthrough last year, Ricciardo feels it would be "optimistic" to even think of a podium finish this weekend.

"If everything runs as it should, Mercedes and Ferrari are still too far in front," he said. "I heard they have some engine updates as well this weekend, which scares me a little bit."

He believes Red Bull has taken a step backward overall this year, and that it has coincided with others improving.

"Last year the package was a bit better, to be honest," Ricciardo said. "But with that, the top teams have also found a step this year.

"Last year we had an advantage in high-speed corners, for example. And this year it seems we haven't really found more there but the other teams have.

"They've caught up to us in high-speed and neutralized our strength. Like for like, last year we had more of a chance. But it's still early enough and we've got time for more updates."

Originally on Autosport.com