Mercedes the team to beat at Aust'n F1 Grand Prix, says Daniel Ricciardo

Red Bull Racing's Australian Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has played down expectations of his team's performance at his home Grand Prix, saying that Mercedes and Ferrari were going to have "strong" seasons.

Earlier this week, Ricciardo even went as far as to announce he would perform a 'nudie run' if he managed to clinch victory in Melbourne, something he said was purely to highlight the improbability of it happening.

"I said I'd do a nudie run (if I win), but what I'm saying is it is unrealistic," Ricciardo said in a television interview in Melbourne on Friday.

"Mercedes and Ferrari are strong. Sure, they could crash, blow up, whatever, but if the race goes as normal then we're not on their pace at the moment."

Instead, Ricciardo said Red Bull Racing was managing its expectations for 2016, in an effort to best have them competing with the superior Mercedes and Ferrari outfits by 2017.

"I still expect Mercedes to come out, be the favorites and probably win the first few races, but I think Ferrari will probably get a bit closer and steal a few victories from them this year. I've heard good things about their car this year," Ricciardo said.

"Last year I thought Mercedes couldn't get further away (and) they did, but this year I think we can start pegging it back.

"We know this year isn't going to be an assault on the championship but hopefully it puts us in good shape for 2017 and that's all we can ask for."

The Australian said that as the season goes on, Red Bull might look to "put a bit of pressure" on the constructors' championship favorites.

"I think for the first few races we won't be in reach, but hopefully by mid-season we can start to put a bit of pressure on them," he said.

"Really, it's the last half of the year is where we want to see some serious results."

Ricciardo added that the new qualifying format - a rolling elimination of the slowest drivers during the session - could also open the door to some surprises throughout the year. He said in wet conditions, it could prompt other drivers to take risks and grab an unexpected pole position.

"There's going to be a bit more thought involved in (the new qualifying format)," Ricciardo said in the interview.

"It's risk over reward a lot of the time, and probably for us, the first few races we will play it cool and not take too may risks, but the sessions where it rains then maybe that could open it up a bit more.

"I'd be happy to take some risks if it means getting a pole. It could be a bit of a window of opportunity.

Red Bull's number one driver said he has a lot of faith in teammate Daniil Kvyat, and added that a top three finish - behind the strong Ferrari and Mercedes teams - in the constructors' championship wasn't out of the question at the end of the year.

"We would love to crack back in the top three of the constructors' championship and I'd love to get back into the winner's column," Ricciardo said.

Qualifying for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place on Saturday afternoon, with the race beginning at 4pm (Australian time) on Sunday. Endit