The 34-year-old Australian scored his greatest F1 consequence because the 2021 Russian Grand Prix for McLaren, gaining a spot from Crimson Bull’s Sergio Perez on the first nook however then dropping behind him 5 laps later shortly after a security automobile restart.
After shedding DRS on Perez, Ricciardo got here underneath incessant stress from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz for the remainder of the race however he held the Spaniard at bay for his greatest end but for the RB squad.
“Each large consequence feels prefer it’s a wanted one,” Ricciardo instructed Sky Sports activities F1. “It’s a contented feeling, a strong feeling. Additionally to again up qualifying, it was clearly nice however to again it up over the course of a dash race that is much more satisfying.
“So it feels superb and it’s good to additionally maintain just a few individuals quiet.”
When requested what’s made the distinction to his kind – his earlier 2024 greatest being a twelfth in Melbourne – eight-time grand prix winner Ricciardo pointed to 2 elements.
“We modified chassis in China and instantly, actually, I felt one thing,” he mentioned. “I felt like extra feeling, a bit extra confidence in what the automobile was going to provide me.
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Staff VCARB 01, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
“It isn’t that it was far off, however there was simply one thing lacking. In comparison with Yuki [Tsunoda, his team-mate] at first of the yr, I might simply really feel like I wasn’t in a position to do what he was in a position to do in most, or loads of the corners. I knew there was one thing there.
“I believe there actually was one thing with the chassis. Perhaps the workforce nonetheless would not assume so. However I do. After which we had a ground improve right here, and I believe that is helped us within the excessive pace.”
Talking as regards to Sainz’s stress within the second half of the race, Ricciardo opted towards conserving his tyres and risking shedding race positions.
“I could not breathe the entire race,” he quipped. “I figured I will attempt my greatest to maintain them behind, and if the tyres go, then they go.
“I used to be like each lap I might defend, for me, that was like a pat on the again.
“So, I used to be identical to, ‘cease it – let’s simply go’. And if my tyres hand over, then so be it. They usually did not.”