Daniel Ricciardo started the British Grand Prix on the back row of the grid after an engine issue saw him stop on track during qualifying, but the Australian clawed his way through the pack to finish an excellent fifth on Sunday.
The Red Bull Racing driver even survived an early off on the exit of Luffield as he attacked Romain Grosjean that saw him fall back to the rear of the field, but he was in sublime form to pass car after car, with Nico Hülkenberg his last victim in the closing laps.
Ricciardo was also able to capitalise on the late race puncture for Sebastian Vettel to move up to fifth, which he jokingly thanked the German for.
“I hope they showed a lot of that on TV,” said Ricciardo. “I just felt like the whole race I was overtaking cars and I hope the fans enjoyed it.
“We made up a chunk of positions early on and then I got a bit greedy, went off track and ended up at the back again. It was great fun coming back through the field and I gave it everything.
“I caught Hulkenberg with a few laps to go and then Seb had his issue which handed me fifth, so danke Sebastian.”
Ricciardo’s run of five consecutive podium finishes may have came to an end on Sunday, but the Australian was happy to gain fourteen places from his grid slot, and he feels that in the last six races he has happy with his race craft.
“I’ve been really happy with how I’ve been putting my Sundays together for the last handful of races, it’s been strong and to get fifth from the back today I really couldn’t ask for more,” said Ricciardo. “Last week I was the hunted and this week the hunter, I love the fight of this sport and today I felt I could really enjoy that.
“I would give this race ten out of ten in terms of fun. I think you could say that in the last six races the Honey Badger has certainly shown up on Sunday and it’s been great fun.”
