https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCxRDoYDpoM
Daniel Ricciardo admitted his defeat in the Spanish Grand Prix is hard to take after he led the opening stages of Sunday’s race.
The Red Bull driver slipped to fourth place having led 30 laps after switching to a three-stop tyre strategy.
“The outcome of the race was frustrating,” Ricciardo said. “Is it easy to move on? I wouldn’t say easy. Can you move on? Absolutely.”
“It’s been a few days since the race and I still wake up with it on my mind. I’m going to bed with it off my mind but I’m waking up with it on my mind. It’ll take a bit of time.”
Ricciardo also led the Chinese Grand Prix before suffering a puncture and qualified strongly in Russia before being involved in a first-corner crash triggered by previous team mate Daniil Kvyat.
“I think it’s more probably the last three races I feel the end result hasn’t been what we’ve deserved,” he said. “I think there’s always been something better available for me. Now it’s just like, come on. At the same time that’s just racing and it’s part of it.”
Kvyat’s replacement Max Verstappen won for the team in Spain, a result which left Ricciardo feeling conflicted.
“Part of me is happy that the team’s winning again and part of me is happy that everyone’s super-motivated and confidence is high,” he said. “That’s a positive and I’m trying to draw myself to [it].”
“Obviously from a personal side it was massively frustrating. It’s a tough one. Sure it’s a team sport but you are doing it for yourself as well and as individual as it is team, that balance is a tricky one to try and manage. Obviously from a personal side it’s still a hard one to take.”
However Ricciardo believes it can be positive for him that Verstappen’s ability has been rewarded so soon in his career.
“Max is a serious F1 driver,” said Ricciardo. “It’s actually really good for me, it’s really good motivation.”
“I said when I joined Red Bull and I came against Seb I wanted to come against the best and challenge myself. And now Max is the newest challenge for me and I think he’s a big one. So I think in a way it’s good that he’s having success because if I can get on top of that then it’s only good for me and probably for both our careers.”
2016 Spanish Grand Prix
- Ricciardo still coming to terms with losing Spain win
- F1 Fanatic presents new podcast Motorsport Extra
- Landslide Driver of the Weekend win for Verstappen
- Praise for surprising Spanish GP – and new winner Verstappen
- Why Red Bull’s strategy was a success – but not for Ricciardo
Browse all Spanish Grand Prix articles