Ricciardo resurgence 'bad news' for Ferrari – Leclerc

On the one hand Charles Leclerc was happy to see Daniel Ricciardo return to the winner's circle at Monza, but on the other the Monegasque admitted that the McLaren driver's resurgence is "bad news" for Ferrari.

After enduring persistent struggles with his new team during the first half of this year's campaign, Ricciardo led a triumphant 1-2 for McLaren in last weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

The Woking-based outfit's massive haul of points at Monza has allowed it to reclaim third place in the Constructors' standings, while Ferrari now sits 13.5 points behind its top midfield rival.

Leclerc says Ricciardo's win complimented by Lando Norris' runner-up spot left him with some conflicting feelings.

Read also: Sainz didn't have the 'tools' to get in the fight at Monza

"Days like this shows they are really on it," Leclerc told Sky Sports F1.

"I am very happy for Daniel, it is great to see him perform as he would have done last year. He is an incredible driver and it is great to see him back at 100 per cent.

"It’s true that he had a bad first part of the season. Even for us it was difficult seeing him struggling like that compared to Lando.

"And finally seeing him perform like the Daniel of the last few years like he did, it’s pleasant to see.

"But for us, it is bad news if he keeps performing like this.

"It is pushing us to try and be perfect every weekend and that is exactly what we will try to do in the next few weekends."

©Ferrari

Ferrari's double top-ten result at Monza thanks to Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who finished respectively P4 and P6, fortunately limited the points damage inflicted on the Scuderia.

Leclerc, who ran as high as second in his team's home race thanks to an early stop under the safety car, reckoned that it would have been difficult for him to achieve a better result.

"The pace was there but the only thing is we were very vulnerable in the last sector and on the first straight so that made it very easy for the others to overtake," he explained.

"I made a lot of lap time in the second sector but the thing is they were recovering more lap time in the last sector and the first sector. That is how we got overtaken.

"It is a shame but in the end, I gave it absolutely everything."

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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.