Ricciardo expects Ferrari to close gap in qualifying

Daniel Ricciardo says he expects the gap between Red Bull and Ferrari to be closer on Saturday at the British Grand Prix.

The Australian was second fastest on Friday afternoon, outpacing the lead SF16-H of Sebastian Vettel by over 0.5s. Team-mate Max Verstappen also managed to get ahead of the four-time world champion in FP2, but Ricciardo refuses to get carried away.

“I knew we would have a good fight with Ferrari this weekend,” the 27-year-old said. “And I expected it to be close. Let’s see if [Friday] is representative. It looks good on paper, if it stays like that it will be interesting, let’s see what Ferrari can do.

“I think if we all put in our perfect laps, then I don’t think you’ll see half-a-second. I think it will be nearer to one or two tenths, it should be a good fight for the third spot.

“I think in qualifying it will be just a couple of tenths, and then in the race it will be very close with us and Ferrari.”

Despite beating last year’s pole position on the opening day of practice, Ricciardo still trailed pace setter Hamilton by nearly four tenths. The three-time grand prix winner admits that Red Bull’s prospects of challenging Mercedes this weekend will hinge on weather conditions.

“If it’s wet on Sunday we have a chance maybe to fight with them, but if it’s dry I think our fight will be with Ferrari.”

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