Red Bull driver targeting podium after securing front-row start
Saturday 16 April 2016 12:51, UK
Daniel Ricciardo admits his performance in qualifying for the Chinese GP proved a surprise even to him, as he secured a front-row start for Red Bull.
It's the first time since Singapore 2015 that the former world champions have had a car qualify in the top two and only the second time since 2014.
The feat was all the more surprising given it was a dry session and the fact Ferrari had looked strong throughout practice.
"I wouldn't say I would have expected to be here if it was wet, but the fact that I am here I would have assumed it was a wet qualifying," Ricciardo told Sky Sports F1.
"So to be here on the front row with a dry qualifying is just awesome. I'm really happy.
"I knew my first lap in Q3 was pretty good so when I crossed the line again and saw I'd got four tenths off that I thought 'we might be on chance for a top three here'. Then I saw the scoreboard and saw I was second.
"I'm definitely in a good place right now driving, happy and as a team we are showing some strong signs. So that is positive."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was equally delighted to see his team back at the sharp end after a difficult couple of years since F1's 2014 rule change.
"Where on earth that came from..." Horner said. "I'm quite shocked actually because to qualify on the front row here was an incredible performance.
"He got quicker and quicker and quicker and just put everything together. The wind picked up in the last bit of qualifying and made it quite tricky, but he just nailed it.
"Rosberg has picked a different tyre strategy, but we are in the race from there. We know we are vulnerable, but we have got to see the start lights for the first time in quite a while from the front row and we will give it everything."
For his part, Ricciardo appears to have his eyes in his mirrors rather than on the Mercedes of Rosberg ahead.
"I'd love to be in a fight with Ferrari for the podium. We start on the front row so it is hard not to try and plan a podium from here, so that is obviously the plan," the Australian said.
"Realistically Ferrari should have a bit better race pace. They've shown that in the first couple of races, but we got ahead of them today. That doesn't mean we can't do it tomorrow."
The second Red Bull of Daniil Kvyat will start from sixth after qualifying on a used set of tyres, which accounts for some of his four tenths deficit to Ricciardo.
Watch the Chinese GP on Sunday - LIVE ONLY on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 7am, with build-up underway from 5.30am. Or watch without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV.
