Daniel Ricciardo says third place in the Hungarian Grand Prix was the best possible result for Red Bull Racing at the Hungaroring.
The Australian started from the second row of the grid and challenged the Mercedes drivers into the first corner.
He went around the outside of Nico Rosberg but then lost the position at the next corner. He initially dropped back from the two leading cars but found himself closing on them in the closing stages.
However, Ricciardo also had to keep an eye on his mirrors, with Sebastian Vettel right behind him during the final laps. The 2014 Hungarian GP winner just held Vettel off to claim the final podium spot.
“I’m really pleased with a podium today, I don’t think we could have got a win,” he said.
“We tried at the start; we had a good run off the line and at the apex the Mercs were in my blind spot, so I thought I was in the lead, but on the exit I was done by Lewis (Hamilton) and then Nico (Rosberg) got me around the outside of Turn 2.
“I think even if we had got the lead, their pace was good so they could have even over-cut us if they stayed out an extra lap.
“Third was the best we could do and Seb (Vettel) got really close in the last three laps; my tyres were getting towards the end, so coming over the line in third was good. Three podiums in a row here is great, it’s a good place for me.
“It was important to put it together from Friday to Sunday this weekend and I believe I did that. And now we’ve got another in seven days, so that’s another chance to be happy again.”
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