Ricciardo on fight: 'I wasn't sure I could keep him behind'

Daniel Ricciardo was the big winner of the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. The Australian took the lead at the start of the race and did not relinquish it during the battle.

The winner stressed that he felt good from the start. "I mean obviously it worked well for me yesterday and I knew… To be honest, even if we got the start there was never a guarantee we would lead the whole race, but I was able to hold firm out front during the first stint," Ricciardo said in the press conference. 

"I wouldn’t say we had mega speed but it was enough to keep Max behind and then, I don’t know, there were safety cars and this and that. To lead literally from start to finish, I don’t think any of us expected that. But I don’t know, there was something in me on Friday. I knew something good was to come. Let’s just say that."

Ricciardo in the world championship

Ricciardo also drove the fastest race lap, giving him good business in the world championship with 26 points. He earned an extra point in the sprint race on Saturday for his third-place finish. The driver is in eighth place with 83 points.