Ricciardo: Renault qualifying pace 'not a freak one off'

©Renault

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Daniel Ricciardo says the impressive qualifying pace displayed by his Renault last weekend at Silverstone is not a "freak one off", although the Aussie admits that securing another spot among the top five in Spain "could be a stretch".

Ricciardo lined up fifth on the grid of last Sunday's 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, an achievement that the Renault driver insists was no fluke for the French outfit's improving R.S.20.

"It is not a freak one off - it is there, or at least I feel it is," Ricciardo said on Thursday in Barcelona..

"Is it going to be there every weekend? Maybe a top five could be a stretch, but I think we proved that we are a Q3 car.

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"I think the only way we miss out on Q3 is if we make a mistake on our lap perhaps. But I think typically if everything is running smooth then we should be there.

"We will see what happens here, but I am excited to get some more good qualifying sessions and then convert them to a good race."

Like the majority of the field, Ricciardo opted on race day for a two-stop strategy, but despite his advantageous starting position, tyre wear and a costly spin during a wheel-to-wheel battle with McLaren's Carlos Sainz, left the Honey Badger a lowly P14 at the end of the day.

©Renault

"Typically we've been fast on Sundays, so it was like if we can sort qualifying and put ourselves towards the front, then we should have a strong race," Ricciardo explained.

"We went for the two stop which did not work. It was just so sensitive with the tyres with the temperature, and we overcooked it with the second set.

"And then we were on the back foot, and I had a spin and it was just one of those races where I didn’t really get going.

"If we could do it all over again, we extend that first stint, and one stop. But we didn’t, so that is where we ended.

"I’m not very happy with the result! It is a bit of a shame because the Saturday went so well."

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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.