Daniel Ricciardo is hoping to take advantage of his P4 position on the grid to outrun a few of his rivals up Spa’s Kemmel straight at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Ricciardo confirmed in Saturday’s qualifying the form showcased in free practice on Friday, the Aussie predictably earning a spot in the Q3 shootout and clocking in an impressive fourth behind poleman Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n
The result was likely the best the Renault driver could achieve, but Ricciardo isn’t dismissing a run among the top three on Sunday.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been happy all weekend, we showed really good speed yesterday,” said the future McLaren charger.<\/p>\n
“It seems that last year these were our strong tracks, these lower downforce [tracks], Spa, Monza, and it seems like we’ve replicated that this year.<\/p>\n
“So it’s pretty fun here when you get a lap hooked up.”<\/p>\n
The weatherman at Spa is forecasting a 60% chance of rain, a spanner in the works that often allows an opportunity for those in the midfield to spring a surprise or two.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Yet Ricciardo is hoping for a dry afternoon given his Renault R.S.20’s low downforce set-up at Spa.<\/p>\n
“If it rains it rains, but I’m kind of hoping for a dry one because obviously we’ve got good track position and pretty good straight-line speed,” Ricciardo said.<\/p>\n
“I think the start of the race we have a real opportunity, and then I think I can defend awhile if I have to.<\/p>\n
“So that’s the plan, try and go a few better at the start and elbows out!”<\/p>\n
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers<\/p>\n
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