Ricciardo gets late reward after early gamble backfires
Matt Clayton
Monday, 29 July 2024
Daniel Ricciardo could ill-afford to go backwards at the start in Spa, but a lap-one slip prompted a push back to the points, which came to him after George Russell’s disqualification.
Daniel Ricciardo was pleased to finish his first half of the season with a point for an afternoon of fighting his way out of a first lap gone wrong in Belgium, the RB driver finishing in 11th place before being promoted into the top 10 because of George Russell’s disqualification.
Ricciardo, who qualified 13th, was the only one of the 20 drivers to begin the race on the soft tyre in an attempt to make gains as soon as the lights went out, but instead dropped a place to Valtteri Bottas (Sauber) on lap one, a demotion that seemed to light a fire under the 35-year-old.
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Knowing what was at stake on a weekend where rumours swirled that he could be about to take over from Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing or be ousted from his RB seat altogether, Ricciardo dug in and showcased some vintage overtaking as he worked his way into the top 10 by passing Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) on lap 37 of 44.
Esteban Ocon (Alpine) looked to have spoiled the party when he dropped Ricciardo to 11th with four laps left, but hours after the race, the Australian was promoted to 10th for his third Grand Prix points finish of the season.
“I wasn’t sure how the race was panning out with some two-stopping, one-stopping … mid-race I kind of had no idea where I would end up,” he said.
“The race was like [qualifying] yesterday in that I was pleased with what we did … one point for us is a big deal. Every point counts in this midfield battle. I feel like we did a really strong race, but unfortunately some other guys did a really strong race.
“I genuinely think [Alpine’s Esteban] Ocon was just a bit quicker and he had a bit of a fresher tyre as well. Sometimes you can only do the best you can, so for that we leave here – the weekend as a whole – with a smile and with our heads held high.”
Ricciardo managed just five points in the first eight rounds from an anomalous fourth place in the Miami sprint race, and felt his season started to gain traction when he qualified fifth in Canada and finished seventh.
“I would have loved the whole first half to be strong, but it wasn’t the case,” he said.
“I had my struggles in the first kind of half of the half [season] and it was clear I needed to pick it up and find something. Since Montreal, since the pressure probably started to build – other than Silverstone that was a bit of an outlier – I feel like the races have been much more in line with what I’m capable of. I feel like I’m leaving the weekend feeling more content and fulfilled.
“It’s important I was able to do that, and it leaves me entering the break with much more of a spring in my step. Looking ahead, excited to get back and get out there in Zandvoort.”
Daniel's Belgian Grand Prix by the numbers
- Qualified: 13th
- Race: 10th
- Fastest lap: 1min 47.435secs (12th), lap 37
- Points this event: 1
- Points this season: 12 (13th in world championship)
