Ricciardo hopes tyre strategy will keep Red Bull in the mix

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Daniel Ricciardo put in a storming lap in Q3 to position himself third on tomorrow's German GP and best of the rest behind the dominate Mercedes drivers.

By his own admittance, the Australian's lap was the best he could produce and while it wasn't close enough to challenge for pole, Ricciardo was happy with his performance.

"I think we got pretty close to be honest," said the Red Bull driver.

"My first lap in Q3 was really good and I knew there probably wasn’t that much more on the table with my second run.

"In the end a couple of mistakes so maybe a tenth with the perfect lap but not enough to challenge the pole. We’re close enough, I said yesterday if we can be within half a second that’s not a bad day in qualifying."

Obviously, Ricciardo will be hoping to mix it with the Mercedes in tomorrow's race, if not on sheer speed than perhaps on tyre strategy.

"Hopefully we can do something tomorrow and from what I understand we might have different tyres available to us for the race so hopefully that makes a difference."

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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.