Austria podium a tough ask for Ricciardo
He's coming off victory in Azerbaijan and four-straight podiums but Daniel Ricciardo isn't confident of continuing his stellar run at the Austrian Grand Prix.
The Australian, who sits fourth in Formula One championship standings, will be in familiar territory this weekend on the Spielberg circuit, owned by his team Red Bull.
But Ricciardo admits the straight-heavy track will be better suited to the faster Ferrari of F1 leader Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes' of title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
Another podium finish after the Baku win last month and third-places in Canada, Monaco and Spain nevertheless remains his goal.
"This track is not our worst, not our best," Ricciardo told motorsport.com ahead of Sunday's race.
"We'll see. Hopefully at least fifth (place). Ideally we can get closer.
"I think Mercedes and Ferrari will still be quite quick here, particularly Mercedes. They'll be strong. They're normally quick here. They still have an extra setting it seems than everyone else.
"Here the first sector is more or less all horsepower, so I think they'll make enough of a step there. Even if we can match them in the second and third sector, I think they're still going to be quite strong."
Ricciardo sits 19 points behind third-placed Bottas in driver standings after eight Grands Prix, with 11 races remaining.
The 28-year-old was fifth in Austria last year - his best showing in three attempts.
He stormed home in an action-packed race on the streets of Baku last start, coming from 17th place to claim his first victory of 2017.
Ricciardo benefited when German Vettel was hit with a 10-second penalty for driving into the side of Hamilton, who was also penalised.
The incident dominated post-race headlines and the pair exchanged a war of words, but have since declared their mutual respect leading to Austria.
