Daniel Ricciardo believes Red Bull needs cooler temperatures and rain to challenge Mercedes at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
While close to Mercedes in FP1, Red Bull dropped of the pace slightly in the afternoon session at Interlagos as track temperatures rose. With the two Williams drivers jumping ahead of Red Bull over one lap, Ricciardo says it is actually the long run performance which is of more concern.
“I think the pace relative to Mercedes and Ferrari is quite normal," Ricciardo said. "Williams is a surprise but to be honest it’s good. It’s good to have another team up there so it makes it more competitive for Sunday if it stays like that. For Felipe [Massa] it’s good! He can have a strong last race.
“I think we weren’t too bad on low fuel, a little bit here and there with the balance but nothing too dramatic. But then with the higher fuel we struggled a little bit more today just trying to look after the tyres, so that’s what we’ll try to work on for tomorrow.
“I think the rain will be nice, that would be fun just to change it up a bit. But I think if it’s cooler as well tomorrow - which it looks like, for Sunday as well - it should be better on the tyres. But today the track was really hot so you could feel the tyres were having a hard time.”
Asked about challenging Mercedes on Sunday, Ricciardo replied: “We’re a bit closer to them (Mercedes) than we probably expected – half a second – and there’s still more to improve with the car, but the rain will help us.
“If we really want a chance to win that will be the way to go.
“In the dry it will be difficult, they’ve still got enough on us, but in the wet, sure, anything is possible.”
FP2 REPORT: 0.030s separate title rivals in FP2 at Interlagos
Silbermann says ... I'm going AWOL
Romain Grosjean column: Time for Haas to raise its game
FEATURE: What Rosberg need to do to win the title in Brazil
INTERVIEW: Fernando Alonso: Why F1 is no longer just for heroes
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…
Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…
Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…
Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…
Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…
The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…