Ricciardo: Red Bull stronger than Ferrari AND Mercedes in Singapore

Ricciardo: Red Bull stronger than Ferrari AND Mercedes in Singapore

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Friday 14 September 2018 21:21

Daniel Ricciardo believes Red Bull have an edge over both Ferrari and Mercedes in long-run pace for the Singapore Grand Prix, but concedes that advantage will count for little if the team are not able to maintain the pressure in qualifying.

Ricciardo was quickest of all in Friday's first session, but he and team-mate Max Verstappen were more than half a second off Kimi Raikkonen's qualifying simulation in FP2.

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The Australian has finished on the podium here four years in a row, and Red Bull started last season's race at Marina Bay from second and third on the grid.

However, Verstappen's pessimism over the team's chances of Saturday success has also spread to Ricciardo.

"On the [soft and super-soft] tyres we are looking as good or better than everyone but, honestly, if we don't qualify in the top two or three it's probably not that important," Ricciardo said.

"Qualifying is nearly as important here as in Monaco so a little bit of work to do for tomorrow.

"I think the morning session went better than this evening's one, just a bit more comfortable with the car. I mean taking the lap times out, we were more comfortable this morning with a hotter track, which is a bit weird.

"I think we can find a good balance for the evening -- obviously that's when qualifying takes place -- so it's important to learn from today. I think we know where we stand and I think we are going to be alright."

MORE: Verstappen reveals Red Bull's Singapore qualifying hopes