F1 News

Ricciardo on Perez attack: I sent it into turn one, the postman wasn't there

Ricciardo on Perez attack: "I sent it into turn one, the postman wasn't there"

28-10-2019 11:06
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Daniel Ricciardo was chasing down home favourite Sergio Perez in the closing stages of the Mexican Grand Prix. The Australian attempted an overtake in turn one but couldn't slow down his Renault car fast enough and ran wide onto the grass. 

In his post-race review, Ricciardo tried to summarise his attack on the Racing Point driver. 

“It’s good to be in the points. I could have got more if I had passed Perez but I just couldn’t make it stick. I sent it into turn one, maybe a little late and the postman wasn’t there!" Ricciardo said. 

Without knowing it at the time, Ricciardo was the pioneer to Mercedes' tyre strategy masterstroke. He started on the hard tyres and didn't pit until around lap 50. Mercedes strategist James Vowles identified this and decided to put Valtteri Bottas and eventual race winner Lewis Hamilton on the same compound. 

Ricciardo says his stint on the hard tyres was key to one of his biggest points hauls of the 2019 F1 season. 

"We made a really strong start on the Hard tyre and that set us up for the rest of the race. It’s a solid day with both cars back in the points. It’s been a tough week for the team, so I’m proud of them and how they’ve kept their spirits high. We regrouped quickly and we can be pleased with that, but now we have to move on and keep it up," Ricciardo added.