Ricciardo sees opportunity in wet F1 race

Daniel Ricciardo isn’t expecting to win a Formula One race any time soon – unless it rains.

The Red Bull driver had a strong showing at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, qualifying and finishing in third behind Mercedes front-runners Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

It was just his second podium of the season after May’s second placing in Monaco.

But the Australian doesn’t foresee another challenge for victory until at least September.

“There should be another chance or a slight chance you’d think in Singapore,” he said ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix, his 100th in F1.

“It’s a strong circuit for us and for whatever reason last year it was a weakness for Mercedes, so if its a similar trend then we can genuinely have a crack there.

“But, otherwise, probably a wet race is our only real opportunity on an even playing field.”

Ricciardo said Mercedes were clearly the quickest.

“Rain definitely helps us,” he said.

“Even if they were quicker in a wet race there’s still more chances they might make a mistake.

“It also opens up more opportunity for the driver to make a bit more of a difference.”

The 27-year-old is third in the drivers’ standings behind Hamilton and Rosberg.

Just 92 points covers the top six drivers, while only one point separates Red Bull and Ferrari in the constructors’ championship.

“It’s really close … but that’s fun. Hopefully we just try and keep that,” said Ricciardo.

“Some more consistent podiums would be good and, yeah, leave Sundays feeling happy – that’s always important.”

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