Australian admits "it sucks" being outqualified by Verstappen
Wednesday 13 July 2016 15:47, UK
Daniel Ricciardo is targeting a podium finish at the British Grand Prix despite qualifying behind team-mate Max Verstappen.
It is the first time the Australian has been pipped in qualifying by his Red Bull team-mate this season, as Mercedes dominated on Saturday with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg coming out on top.
Third place represents Verstappen's best finish in qualifying so far, but Ricciardo said he is aiming to make it up on Sunday.
"[It is the] first time, it sucks getting beat in any case. Whether it has been a good run up until now, obviously you'd love to go through a perfect season," he said when asked about qualifying behind the 18-year-old.
"I thought we just missed a little bit here and there today. I thought the car was pretty good in the high speed stuff, I was confident there. Just the low speed, the last chicane I couldn't really get through that clean.
"It is tricky and the wind is changing all the time so I'm sure it is the same for everyone but it is hard to get a good compromise around the lap, so that's that.
"Didn't really get the 100 per cent out of it today but tomorrow is points day and I'll try and maximise that and get on the podium, that's my target."
Ricciardo said the changing wind may have been a factor as he struggled through the last chicane in Q3, but believes finishing just behind Verstappen keeps things competitive.
"The one run lap in Q3 was pretty good up until the last chicane; I lost quite a bit there. That was a bit of an Achilles heel during the session and it got me worse than ever on that lap," he said.
"The last lap we just seemed to be a bit off. I don't know if the wind picked up but we both seemed to struggle a bit there. It is a fine line but, as always, it is like this and it is fun, it is cool, it keeps it close and competitive.
"One mistake can be quite costly and that's what it is today but tomorrow I've got my eyes set on that and it should be good."
Ricciardo admits it may be a battle for third spot with Mercedes seemingly in a different league at Silverstone but he said he intends to put pressure on his team-mate from the off.
"Mercedes look to be very quick, sub 30's is pretty impressive - not too happy about that!" he said.
"But I think Ferrari will give us a bit of a run for our money in the race so there is definitely that third spot up for grabs. You are going to see a race tomorrow, that's for sure. I'm not hanging about."
