'Impeccable' Ricciardo is at the top of his game - Horner

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Experience coupled with bold speed has put Daniel Ricciardo at the top of his game, says Red Bull Racing's boss Christian Horner.

The Australian driver collected his sixth F1 career win in Shanghai yesterday, making the most of his team's opportunistic strategy call and his own incisive driving.

As he raced back into contention in the championship following a disappointing retirement in Bahrain over a week ago, Ricciardo pulled out all the stops on Sunday, executing a series of signature overtaking moves on his rivals during his spectacular charge in the latter part of the race.

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Horner was once again left impressed with the Honey Badger's grit and skills.

"He’s a very rounded driver now,” Horner said.

"He’s absolutely at the top of his game and I think he has been for the last couple of years. He’s hit that balance of experience and pace.

"He’s one of the best overtakers in the business and his judgement is impeccable in terms of judging a gap, getting the car stopped and getting it rotated.

"Daniel has been clinical in the way that he’s executed that race in the passing moves. There was one move on Lewis [Hamilton] at Turn 14, he came from so far back. He just got the job done."

Ricciardo has yet to decide his fate for 2019, and the 28-year-old has vowed to wait a few races before weighing his options for next season.

Horner hopes Sunday's win will entice the Aussie to remain with the Red Bull family.

"Look at Kimi's race. You know, I didn’t understand that strategy," said Horner, referring to Ferrari, a team rumored to be pursuing Ricciardo for 2019.

"I think Daniel’s happy in this environment. If we can provide a car like we did today why would he want to be anywhere else?"

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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.