23-year-old lines up fifth for British GP; team-mate down in 12th
Sunday 30 June 2013 08:52, UK
The nip-and-tuck battle between Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne swung emphatically back the Australian's way during qualifying for the British Grand Prix - but he doubts it'll have any influence on Red Bull.
Both Ricciardo and Vergne had featured in the top ten all weekend prior to Saturday afternoon. The Frenchman had looked set to make Q3 as well before taking to the grass at Chapel curve on a flying lap. Asked to explain why Toro Rosso were putting such a good weekend together, Ricciardo said that, from his own point of view, a productive Friday's running had been crucial. The 23-year-old explained that he had too often made steps in the wrong direction when trying to set up his car. "We've had a couple of little updates but nothing massive we could actually advertise - just to find a little bit more downforce," Ricciardo said. "Since Canada, I spent a bit of time with my guys - we had to reassess a few things. For sure, things went well; I think we've taken a little bit of a different approach, basically not throwing things at the car and thinking it's going to help. "Let's just see what happens. Let's not chase our tail too much." Ricciardo also acknowledged that tyres may have played their part and he is hopeful that a warmer forecast on race day will help him even more. "I guess for us over a short run it's been good - sixth is the worst we've been all weekend," he added. "I think tomorrow's going to change. Yesterday, I wasn't particularly pleased with my long run. Tomorrow's x degrees hotter and the tyres are going to behave completely different." Both drivers have risen to the occasion this weekend. Yet Vergne, who finished a career-best sixth last time out in Montreal, can consider himself unfortunate in falling by the wayside. As the 23-year-old explained: "I think it was a bit of bad luck. I was behind Vettel, just lost the downforce and went straight on the grass. "I was doing the same times as Daniel at that moment. It's a big shame. I'm p*ssed off not to start tomorrow's race a bit more at the front, but on the other hand we have a good car and the pace is good."
