Friday: Red Bull drivers optimistic for the future at Silverstone
Even if the Mercedes seem untouchable, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo remain optimistic about their chances of closing the gap on the Silver Arrows and thus fighting at the front for the qualifying and the Grand Prix race.
Daniel Ricciardo (No. 3) – 4th and 4th
The Australian knows he will have a tough task ahead to beat the Mercedes, but he remains optimistic, especially for the qualifying session: « Today, it wasn’t too bad. The Mercedes were very strong this morning but we seem to have found more speed this afternoon. With the hards, it was really good but with the mediums, we didn’t find enough time, so if we analyze [the data] tonight and do things well, then tomorrow we should be closer. »
Ricciardo nevertheless expects to have to adapt to the weather conditions, particularly the wind that bothers the drivers throughout the turns: « The wind here is always very strong and today in particular there were very strong gusts, and it changes a lot from one turn to another. In one turn, you feel the car is really lively, and then in another, you feel like there’s no grip. So it’s a bit complicated, but it’s the same for everyone, and it makes things a bit more interesting. »
Sebastian Vettel (No. 1) – 6th and 5th
The four-time world champion is satisfied with his day even if uncertainty persists for the rest of the British weekend: « I think it has been an interesting day, obviously, we don’t know what the weather will bring tomorrow and Sunday, but I think we learned a bit today and that will help us this weekend. »
The German driver is happy with his car’s performance but expects a tight battle behind the Mercedes in the qualifiers: « Overall, I think it went well, but we can still improve. The Ferraris were very fast today as well, obviously, the front row [of the grid] is taken, or seems to be, but behind, I think it’s going to be tight. »
