Confident Ricciardo: "I’m pretty much the guy to beat at the moment"

Daniel Ricciardo believes recent strong performances have placed a "target" on his back as the midfield battle continues to rage.

Across the past four races, only Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have outscored the 43-point haul of Renault's Ricciardo.

With the pace advantage of Mercedes, however, the Australian discounted the Silver Arrows and declared himself as the driver for his rivals to focus on.

“I guess them [Mercedes] being so far in front they don’t really count do they, so I’m pretty much the guy to beat at the moment," said Ricciardo. "I’m the guy with the target.

“It feels good, it feels great. It’s been a good run for sure, so keep it going."

Although the improvement in results began in Belgium with Ricciardo finishing fourth and posting the fastest lap, he attributes his recent form to a set up discovered a race earlier in Spain.

Following on from the race in Spa, Ricciardo finished sixth in the Italian GP, fourth again at Mugello and fifth last time out in Russia.

It is a run of results he intends to keep pursuing and remaining 'the guy to beat'.

“I’m aware we’ve had good results but I don’t look into it as far as I don’t feel I’m under pressure to keep it going," added Ricciardo.

"Obviously I enjoy getting more and more points and racing up at the front so absolutely my intention is to remain that guy.”

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