Red Bull had the quickest car - Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo took confidence in Red Bull producing the quickest car at the Australian Grand Prix, despite his wait for a home podium stretching another year. Ricciardo fought from eighth on the grid to finish fourth, while setting the fastest lap of the race at one minute 25.945 seconds.

Ricciardo started eighth on the grid thanks to a three-spot penalty picked up for speeding under red flags in Friday practice and found it difficult to make places up on the twisting Albert Park circuit.

Haas' double DNF helped him out, as did team-mate Max Verstappen spinning out of fifth as he chased down Kevin Magnussen.

Having previously suffered with disqualifications and engine failures in his home race, Ricciardo was at least able to wear his trademark smile after just falling short this time.

"I obviously tried to do all I could with Kimi," Ricciardo told Sky Sports. "It's a tight track, it is tricky to overtake, but we set the fastest lap and that's really good signs for things to come in the next few weeks."

A strong home run for @danielricciardo ???? 4 places gained and an #AusGP fastest lap with a 1:25.945 ???????????? pic.twitter.com/wEstKHeOr0 — Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 25, 2018

Sebastian Vettel took victory from under the nose of Lewis Hamilton for the second year in a row at this race thanks to Ferrari's smartness in the pits.

Red bull have been expected to bring the fight to the Scuderia and Silver Arrows in 2018, a target that Ricciardo says remains achievable.

"I think we're really close to Ferrari's pace. We had the fastest lap so we were definitely one of if not the quickest car on track today.

"Hopefully that's representative moving forward, I think we've still got to find pace on one lap but the race pace is good."