Red Bull relies on strategy to play leading roles in racing

Fourth and fifth in the qualifying session in Melbourne, Red Bull Racing was unable to rise to the level of its rivals Mercedes et Ferrari. Especially since Daniel Ricciardo will have to move back three places on the starting grid after a penalty received yesterday during free practice.

The Australian, not stingy with small declarations, recognizes that the performance of Lewis Hamilton remains impressive. « It was like throwing a pie in everyone's face, admits Ricciardo after the session, quoted by ESPN.

Look, they can do it, they're obviously the leaders. I know it would be nice to be in this position, but for other people, it sucks. »

Daniel Ricciardo, however, hopes to play another advantage to interfere in the fight for the podium, with an offbeat tire strategy. « We are the only ones in the top 10 to start on supersofts so I hope that will help us.

Ideally the leaders will struggle to operate the ultrasoft with just one stop and we will capitalize on that. It's going to be quite difficult to overtake, so strategy will be key. The race pace seems pretty good and I'm looking forward to being in the peloton. »

Verstappen aims above all for Ferrari

Qualified in the second row, Max Verstappen will be able to count on a better starting position than his teammate, but the Dutchman remains realistic about his chances of victory tomorrow morning from 7:10 a.m. French time.

“Mercedes was quite far ahead as expected. If I hadn't made my mistake, I think I would have been only half a second behind Lewis, a smaller gap than in the past.

Taking everything into account, and with the right strategy, I think we can be competitive in the race tomorrow. Against Mercedes I'm not sure, but I think we can have a good fight with Ferrari. »