Ricciardo: ’Perfect days’ needed to beat Verstappen in ’17

Daniel Ricciardo says he will need to bring his A game and deliver perfect race days if he wants to have the upper hand against Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2017.

The Dutchman moved up from Toro Rosso to its parent team after four grands prix in 2016 and went on to become Formula One’s youngest ever race winner on his Red Bull debut at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

• Best of ... Scene at 2016

Verstappen followed this up with another six podium finishes but his more experienced team-mate still managed to retain a slight edge to outqualify and outscore the feisty 19-year-old.

Speaking to Australian publication The Age, Ricciardo explains how he aims to carry the momentum into next season.

“For me, I see it that if I do everything I've got to do preseason, if I'm physically prepared well, you know and I get into the test in February with the right sort of attitude then i definitely believe in my ability,” the Australian said.

“I know that if I'm having not a perfect day there's a good chance that Max will get on top of me. But I feel that if I am just hitting my lines and hitting everything I've got to in the right way, then I sort of feel that I know what I've got.”

Should Red Bull nail 2017’s sweeping regulation changes, Verstappen could well be the biggest obstacle on Ricciardo’s path to a maiden F1 world title, and vice versa.

Esteban Ocon interview: You're meant to be great when you reach F1

INTERVIEW: Christian Horner on Red Bull rising

TECHNICAL: F1i's review of 2016

2016 driver ratings: 12-1

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter