Ricciardo was the star of qualifying by claiming fourth on the grid on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, narrowly behind the 2 Ferraris and season dominator Max Verstappen.
Though he was unable to remain within the prime 5 because of an ill-timed purple flag, Ricciardo clinched an enormous end result for AlphaTauri in seventh, his first factors since his return to the Faenza squad within the second half of this season and his subsequent harm lay-off.
“After final week that is the weekend I dreamed of,” Ricciardo informed Sky Sports activities, referring to a tough Austin weekend which was his first look since breaking his wrist in follow for August’s Dutch Grand Prix.
“I really feel good, higher than good. Relieved as nicely, as a result of two begins… you maintain your breath as a result of it is such a long term to Flip 1 and something can occur.”
Ricciardo ran comfortably within the prime 5 within the opening levels, however a purple flag for Kevin Magnussen’s accident gave automobiles round him the choice to bolt on the popular medium tyres, which Ricciardo now not had out there.
He was powerless to withstand the spectacular Lando Norris within the second a part of the race, and likewise needed to settle behind the Mercedes of George Russell.
Increasing on his race to the print media, Ricciardo felt with the ability to race a Mercedes on advantage outweighed the frustration of not holding on to a prime 5 end.
“It is actually the purple flag that damage us, however I do not need to say it too selfishly as a result of there was a giant accident,” he stated.
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Daniel Ricciardo, Scuderia AlphaTauri
“Clearly, it bunched everybody up and allowed some automobiles to make use of a medium, which we did not have. However to nonetheless come out with seventh and 6 factors, we’ve to be very completely satisfied.
“We received very near George on the finish. I feel large image, simply to be battling the Mercedes on the finish makes me extra completely satisfied than [I’m sad at] lacking out on sixth.”
Ricciardo’s Austin return was compromised as a result of dash format, which gave the Australian only one follow session to regulate to an AT04 that had been closely upgraded since his earlier look.
He was capable of work with AlphaTauri on discovering a extra snug set-up on a daily Mexico weekend, which yielded his first factors since final 12 months’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with McLaren.
“I am not stunned we had a superb weekend as a result of I used to be simply prepared for it,” he added.
“The path we went with the set-up, I knew that may permit me to simply have a bit extra confidence with the automobile.”
Ricciardo’s end result lifted AlphaTauri off the underside of the constructors’ championship, getting on par with Alfa Romeo in eighth.