Aussie 5-0 ahead of Verstappen in qualy but out-pointed in races
Tuesday 5 July 2016 17:10, UK
Daniel Ricciardo and the Red Bull team are trying to find out whether the Australian's car set-up has been geared too much towards qualifying.
Although Ricciardo has out-qualified his team-mate in every Saturday outing this year, the Red Bull driver has been responsible for just one of the team's four podiums.
Since the opening two rounds of the season, only once has Ricciardo improved on his grid position on race day - and that was at last week's Austrian GP when he made a small step forward from seventh to fifth while team-mate Max Verstappen leapt from ninth on grid to second at the chequered flag.
Red Bull's 2016 results in full
Ricciardo's recent race-day regressions have been in sharp contrast to Verstappen's form since the Dutchman was promoted to replace the ousted Daniil Kvyat. Despite losing out to Ricciardo in all five qualifying sessions, Verstappen has earned 59 points compared to Ricciardo's 52 during their five races together.
"We are looking into it," Ricciardo told Sky Sports News HQ. "We are trying to work out if we are focusing too much on Saturdays and not looking ahead enough at the Sunday.
"I don't think that's the case but with the way Formula 1 is now, especially with the tyres, you can just be a little bit out with the set-up and that can change the races on a Sunday."
After a disappointing outing in Red Bull's home race at Spielberg, Ricciardo has an opportunity to make instant amends at this Sunday's British GP.
"The way the car has been working this year we should be pretty competitive at Silverstone. I think it will be really close with Ferrari so I'm excited - it's a circuit l like driving."
Watch the British GP live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up underway at 11:30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV.
