Formula 1 great Sir Jackie Stewart is a big fan of Daniel Ricciardo but he's not convinced the Red Bull ace can score a season-opening win at the Australian Grand Prix.
Stewart is supremely confident in Ricciardo's ability behind the wheel, but the three-time world champion would like to have seen more pace from Red Bull in pre-season testing.
"I think it might be a tad too early for Daniel ... I think it might take another two to three races for the Red Bulls to be right up there," Stewart told AAP.
"But make no mistake, it's still possible.
"I think we'll have to wait ... I think we'll know more by Saturday.
"But Daniel's a great driver, he's a lovely guy and a great ambassador for Australia ... you're lucky to have him.
"I'm a big admirer of his."
Like many Formula 1 lovers, Stewart grew weary of the stranglehold the all-conquering Mercedes team held over the sport over the past three years.
But he's cautiously optimistic the Silver Arrows' grip will be loosened this season.
"The Mercedes last year was so superior that I think there were maybe six drivers who could have won the world championship in that car," he said.
"Ferrari have been very competitive in testing, but Red Bull are still struggling a little bit with their engine. If that improves - which I think it will - they could be serious competitors.
"I would like to see Ferrari, Red Bull then Mercedes - in that order.
"I don't think we need another team winning everything."
In a bid to arrest flagging interest and television ratings, the sport's organisers have implemented technical changes, mostly centred around the width of the tyres and aerodynamics, designed to make the cars faster.
The adjustments are forecast to slice five to six seconds from lap times around the Albert Park circuit and Stewart is intrigued to see how the changes will play out on the track.
"There's always a risk with change ... you assume it's going to be better but you can't guarantee it," he said.
"The cars are heavier, there's a lot more noise and the tyres are much wider so the corner speeds are going to be much higher.
"It's going to be a more difficult car to drive but the drivers will get the hang of that in no time at all.
"I think, or I hope, it's going to be closer racing this year."
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