Renault drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon are excited and happy at the prospect of races been held at different European venues to normal this year. 

The Australian admits he would be ‘’very excited’’ to race at Mugello and Portimao this year. They are tracks the 7-time Grand Prix winner has driven on in the past.  

“I was very excited to hear [about it],” said Ricciardo. “The first circuit I heard was Mugello, and that was a circuit I raced back in 2007 for the first time, and it was my favourite circuit that season. 

“I loved the flowing high-speed corners, and I think in F1 it would be amazing. We had a test there back in 2012 in F1 [with Scuderia Toro Rosso], but the cars now, these 2020 cars around there, would be insane, so certainly excited if that one takes place.” 

“I actually have good memories in Portimao,” said Ricciardo. “It was where I wrapped up an F3 championship [the 2009 British Formula 3 International Series] and it was a circuit I really enjoyed. Some good elevation, and quite good, flowing fast corners. I'm not disappointed if any of these go ahead at all, I would be very excited. I'll invest in a home simulator or something to refresh, but I'm fairly familiar with at least [Mugello and Portimao].” 

While Ocon has never driven Portimao in real life, the young French star admits he loves Mugello and Imola – and he would be happy to see races around there.  

“It's fantastic,” said Ocon, “those tracks are tracks I love, old school circuits like Mugello or like Imola are tracks I raced not so long ago as well, in Formula 3. I still have to learn Portimao. I've done a lot of laps, obviously, on my home sim, which was good, but I'm happy to do a lot of races – and if that's the way we can do more in the future, then it's fantastic.”