Daniel Ricciardo isn’t getting too far ahead of himself despite claiming his third Grand Prix win of the season and closing the gap on Mercedes‘ F1-leading duo.
The rookie Australian is tempering expectations after taking out the highly coveted Belgian GP, narrowing the deficit behind warring Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
Sitting in third on the drivers’ standings, Ricciardo now finds himself just 64 points behind Rosberg and 35 behind Hamilton ahead of the Italian GP at Monza, Sept 5-7, but doesn’t intend on allowing his rapid success get to his head.
“It’s great, we’re really motivated right now and it’s been a really good day on a track we didn’t expect to get maximum points from,” Ricciardo said of Belgium.
“It will keep us smiling for a while but at the same time we will still stay grounded. Monza we know will stay tricky again but obviously the package we brought here was pretty racy so we’ll try and take something from here to Monza and then Singapore and Suzuka will be pretty good for us.”
Ricciardo’s efforts may be aided by the worsening feud between the previously tight Mercedes’ pair. Despite impressive early season success, the two have been unable to maintain friendly ground, culminating in an unremorseful Rosberg collision with Hamilton on Sunday.
Further detrimental actions from the F1 leaders should further Ricciardo’s cause, but the 25-year-old appears thrilled to just be part of the chase.
“For me it’s been great, it’s what I wanted to achieve – to get some race wins,” he said. “To have three in 12 races has exceeded a few expectations. The in-team battle has gone really well.
“I’ve shown speed throughout quails and races now, demonstrated race craft so I think the team has been really pleased. I’ve been pleased so we’re in a good place. I’m enjoying it more than ever, with each race that goes on I’m enjoying it more and more – just having a good time.”
Ricciardo will need to continue his hot form with just seven races remaining on the 2014 calendar- Monza, Singapore, Japan, Russia, US, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty Images
