Downforce tweaks to boost Daniel Ricciardo's F1 title hopes

Daniel Ricciardo

PHOTO GALLERY: Ricciardo basks in Spa triumph

The Australian's third win in just six races brings him to within 64 points of driver's standings leader Nico Rosberg.

It also made him the first Australian winner of the race since Jack Brabham in 1960.

Mounting a title challenge to Rosberg and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton is becoming more and more plausible.


Daniel Ricciardo's win on Sunday was his third in six races. Photo: Getty

That's because double championship points are on offer at the final round in Abu Dhabi.

"If I’m within 50 coming into Abu Dhabi then yeah, but there's still a few races to go. While it’s still mathematically possible, yeah, we’ll keep fighting," Ricciardo said.

"I think what’s important, looking ahead, is to capitalise on the circuits that we should be strong on and if we can take maximum points, let's say, at a couple of those then it's never over.

"We’ll just keep going and if they [Mercedes] slip up then we’ll be there to capitalise."

Alterations during the month-long mid-season break allowed Red Bull to improve its straight-line speed, a crucial asset on longer circuits.

Spa is the lengthiest race track on the F1 calendar, while Suzuka in Japan and the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore also feature elongated straights.

"It gives us a bit more hope for the circuits that are going to come later in the season: Singapore, Suzuka, just a couple to mention.

"I’ve demonstrated good racecraft and good consistency so I think let’s say the team has been really pleased and I’ve been pleased so we’re in a good place.

"Monza we know will be tricky again but obviously the package we brought here was pretty racy."

The Italian Grand Prix is on September 7.

Ricciardo's victory came after Rosberg and Hamilton crashed into each other on the second lap.

The Perth export then held off a fast-finishing Rosberg despite having degraded tyres.


Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was full of priase for Ricciardo's drive. Photo: Getty

The delight of his Red Bull team chief Christian Horner was palpable.

"This was supposed to be a damage limitation race!

"We have managed to find a balance and Daniel has managed to find a confidence in the car that has managed to produce a good lap time.

"Ultimately we benefited from the Mercedes' little get-together, but in like-for-like pace we were not far off them today.

"The incident between the two Mercedes was two guys going for a world championship and going for the same piece of tarmac," Horner said.

DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP 

1    Nico Rosberg (GER)    Mercedes    202
2    Lewis Hamilton (ENG)    Mercedes    191
3    Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)    Red Bull    131
4    Fernando Alonso (ESP)    Ferrari    115
5    Valtteri Bottas (FIN)    Williams    95

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