Ricciardo: 'A bitter way to end the season'

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Daniel Ricciardo endured a painful end to his 2017 campaign, retiring from the final round in Abu Dhabi and losing his fourth place in the championship to Kimi Raikkonen.

The Aussie had held his P4 start for twenty laps until a hydraulic failure wreaked havoc on his race, forcing the Red Bull driver into retirement for the third time in four races.

"We just had a hydraulic issue. I pitted suddenly because I came out of Turn 19 just before the pits and something felt weird. I thought I had a puncture so I just quickly said I'd come in.

"I could feel something was not right, and I could feel the steering getting heavier, so I knew it was something hydraulic. A shame.

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"It's just reliability, nothing I could have done to prevent it. Pretty bitter way to end the season to be honest. Sure, we had some highs but we finished in a bit of a trench."

Ricciardo admitted that failing to see the checkered flag was painful as there would be no opportunity to alleviate the disappointment until next year.

"This one hurts actually, probably more than the others," he said.

"Obviously I was gutted in Austin, but we had another chance in a week's time, but I don't have another chance until March now."

To add insult to injury, Ricciardo also lost fourth place in the drivers' standings to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, but the loss was no big deal for the Honey Badger.

"If I'm brutally honest, with that car he should have been a long way in front in the championship," he said.

"So, yeah, I don't think it's a big deal."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.