- Belgian GP - Race
Ricciardo dreaming big after Spa win
Daniel Ricciardo is refusing to count himself out of contention for the championship after his third win of the season.
Daniel Ricciardo passed Sebastian Vettel early in the race after the world champion ran wide at Pouhon, and then inherited the lead when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's collision forced both Mercedes drivers to pit. Ricciardo held off a late charge from Rosberg, who ended the race on the option tyre, to claim his second win in succession.
When asked if winning at one of F1's iconic circuits was more special, Ricciardo said: "Yeah, I guess so! There's a few on the calendar that stand out more than others and Spa is one of them. But to be honest though any win is special in Formula One.
"Seb looked like he dropped a wheel on the astroturf through Turn 10 and obviously with the rain overnight and this morning it was a bit slippy, so I was able to get him. Nico came in for a front wing change and we got in front and the pace was pretty good. We were happy with what we were doing and the consistency. We were making the tyres last so it was just up to me at the end to stay consistent and stay focus. It was good fun!"
For most of the season it has looked like a two-horse race between the Mercedes drivers but Ricciardo is now 61 points behind Rosberg, with the double-weighted finale still to come, something he says is keeping him dreaming of the world championship.
"If I am within 50 coming into Abu Dhabi then yeah," Ricciardo said when asked if he felt like a title contender. "There are still a few races to go. Definitely while it is still mathematically possible we will keep fighting.
"To come and steal some points where we were not supposed to is nice. What is important now to look ahead is to capitalise on the circuits we can be strong on - if we can take maximum points at a couple of those it is never over. I see good things ahead if we can collect maximum points around here it gives us a bit more hope for the circuits that are going to come later in the season, Singapore, Suzuka, just a couple to mention."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
