Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo voiced his frustration at missing out on a podium position and a possible victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, citing the team’s decision to switch to a three-stop strategy as detrimental to his race.
Ricciardo started from third on the grid and took an early lead following a collision between Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton on the first lap.
“We were leading, it was there for us,” Ricciardo said. “Mercedes had their mistakes on Lap 1 and the race was in our hands. And [then] we went to three-stop strategy and did it too late as well – Seb [had] already jumped us.
“So then not only I was required to pass Seb, I had to pass three cars when we know we are down on speed and it is a hard track to pass.
“I thought at the time we were doing it because everyone else was – it didn’t make sense, I thought that at the time. It’s frustrating – normally the guy in the lead gets the better strategy.
“I think we just threw the win away today.”
Determined not to miss out on a podium finish the Australian took the fight to former teammate Sebastian Vettel as he chased down third place.
“Knowing we were catching the cars in front and knowing we needed to pass him [Vettel] to get a podium, I gave it a go,” Said Ricciardo.
“Unlike 99 percent of the drivers on the grid I tried to make an overtake. I tried a few times. I wasn’t content with fourth.
“I guess the frustrating thing is I don’t think we had to be in the situation to have to do that – we should have been in the lead.
“Apparently he [Vettel] said I was a bit aggressive on the radio – typical…”
The Red Bull driver was forced to finish in fourth place when his car suffered a puncture on the penultimate lap.
Ricciardo’s new teammate Max Verstappen was on a two-stop strategy which proved more fortunate. The 18-year-old held off former world champion Kimi Raikkonen to take victory in Spain and become the youngest ever Grand Prix winner.
