Daniel Ricciardo reckons his Canadian Grand Prix victory will give Red Bull an extra lift for the team’s home race in Austria this weekend, even if championship-leading Mercedes remain some way ahead.

“Definitely the win gave us more motivation, not that we didn’t have it but it’s given us that extra little bit,” the Australian told reporters at the Red Bull Ring on
Friday ahead of Austria’s first Formula One Grand Prix for 11 years.

“It’s encouraged everyone to want more of it,” he said of his first grand prix success the weekend before last.

“I saw the team on the pit wall when I crossed the line and it was as if it was their first win again in Formula One. It was refreshing, so the motivation is there.

“I think it’s still going to take a bit of time, it’s not going to happen overnight, the gap is big as we all know, but hopefully we can stand on the top step again
this year and try and close them down. We’re chipping away at it.”

Until Montreal, the title-chasing Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and championship leader Nico Rosberg had won every race this season.

They have still started every race this season on pole position between them and will again be favourites in Austria, home of the team’s non-executive chairman and retired triple champion Niki Lauda.

Ricciardo is 19 points ahead of quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel in the standings after seven races but he was sure the German was chafing at the situation and could be expected to fight back on Sunday.

Source: Reuters