Daniel Ricciardo managed to salvage a point from the Belgian Grand Prix thanks to George Russell’s post-race disqualification that bumped the RB charger into the top-ten in the race’s final standings.
The Australian, who qualified P13, made several inroads into the points throughout the race and was holding his ground in tenth position in the closing stages of the event at Spa-Francorchamps.
Unfortunately, a late overtake by Esteban Ocon with just four laps to go dropped Ricciardo down to P11 out of the top ten.
But Russell’s pain was Ricciardo’s gain at the end of the day and it delivered to the Aussie his third top-ten finish of the season.
Taking a bold strategic approach, Ricciardo was the sole driver to start the race on the soft compound tyre, but it was a gamble that ultimately paid off.
“It obviously stopped us from maybe attempting a one stop, but I was able to stay with the guys on medium in the first stint,” explained Ricciardo.
“For the two stop, it probably didn't change too much in the end. I felt like every time we pitted, I think we were able to undercut a car and get a bit of track position and hold it.
“We started 13th, we got a couple positions up, so I think we did have a good race.”
Ricciardo said that he had kept his head down for the majority of the 44-lap race at Spa, only realizing that he was effectively racing among the top-ten when Ocon began snapping at his heels.
“It was hard because I knew some cars were going to try a one-stop,” he said.
“I didn't really know my position during the race.
“I knew it would kind of all work out, and in my head I was kind of saying ‘Your pace is strong, I know there's some quick cars not too far ahead'.
“So I really thought we would have ended up in the points.
“When I had Ocon behind me, I think that's when I knew I was 10th, and I was like ‘Ah', I really thought I was maybe ninth,” he added.
“I knew that holding him off was going to be tricky. I think he was strong all weekend and also he just came up on a fresher tyre.
“Obviously, you say, ‘Alright, let's fight', but I knew it was going to be tricky.
“It was a shame, but look, I put it this way; I think we had a really good race, I just think some other drivers also had a really good race.”
Ricciardo remains in a precarious position at Red Bull as he remains the only driver without a confirmed contract for next season among the energy drink company’s four current racers.
While the Australian's future in Formula 1 hangs in the balance, Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson is eagerly awaiting an opportunity to return to a race set.
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A showdown is set to unfold on Wednesday at Imola, where Ricciardo and Lawson will go head-to-head in a test session.
The outcome of this evaluation is expected to significantly impact their respective careers and potential roles within the Red Bull family, certainly for 2025 but perhaps already for the remainder of this year.
“I kinda just laugh at it,” Ricciardo told Mirror Sport, taking stock of his situation.
“I do take it seriously and I am fighting not only for something better but also just for my seat and my place in the sport.
“So it does come with a lot of that, but I just enjoy being back in this position and having something to fight for.
“I enjoy the crazy, fun chaos of the Red Bull family and the way they go about their business.
“It's all I've ever known – chaos in this team feels comfortable, where chaos in another team was quite unsettling. I just feel like I've been here before and I'm okay with it.”
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