Ricciardo plays down threat from Indy drivers

Daniel Ricciardo is not worried about the presence of Indy drivers testing the McLaren Formula 1 car this season.

The British team's driver roster has increased in recent months with the addition of Indy champion Alex Palou.

Colton Herta did two days of testing in Portimao with a car from last year and Pato O'Ward took part in the young driver test in Abu Dhabi last year.

This has sparked rumors that one of them may be being groomed for a spot in F1 in Ricciardo's place, but the Australian doesn't believe that's the case.

"I think it's just what's in the media," he told . "All the Indy drivers who have done some testing in F1, like Colton, their program is totally Indy."

"It's a chance for them to drive an F1 car, but there's no transition. The media sees it and thinks 'what's going to happen, is it for a spot in F1 or something?' However, it's just stories they make up."

"Internally, everything is pretty clear regarding our situation as a team and who is going to race in each category."

Ricciardo added that despite the testing McLaren is doing with other drivers, he is not worried about pressure amid their difficulties.

"No worries. I've had a lot of support from the team, obviously from people like Zak (Brown, CEO). I feel there is always some form of pressure that you put on yourself."

"There is always noise. Of course, maybe there is a little more lately and that's why we made a statement, to try to clear things up, so that everybody would hear from me and not make their own assumptions."