Daniel Ricciardo described Renault’s performance and result in Canada as a relief as the manufacturer collected its first double points finish of 2019.
Ricciardo’s Renault career had so far been blighted by a relative lack of speed, with reliability issues and strategic setbacks also hindering results.
But in Canada, scene of his maiden victory in 2014, Ricciardo qualified on the second row of the grid and went on to finish sixth in the race, with team-mate Nico Hulkenberg seventh.
The result propelled Renault to fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, just two points behind McLaren.
"The first double points of the year, it has been a long time coming," he said.
"To get sixth and seventh is big. McLaren without points. It is encouraging for us. We will build on this.
"I am glad that the team is in a good place now. A bit of relief for everyone. It has been pretty stressful at times this year but I am glad we can enjoy a strong weekend."
Ricciardo expanded on his race and revelled in his scrap with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, as he kept the title contender behind for several laps.
"I knew from my starting position that the race was probably going to be more of a defence than an attack," he said.
"The most positive thing was holding off Bottas for so long, and just being in that fight with a Mercedes for a few laps was cool.
"When he came up behind me, I thought he was going to get me easily. I was going to try and defend one lap but if he got me, I was not really going to fight to the edge.
"I held him off one lap and then saw in my mirrors that maybe he will start to hurt his tyres a bit, so from that point I was like let’s have some fun.
"I hurt my tyres a bit doing it, but it was worth it. I didn’t think I’d hold him off for that many laps. You could tell that he was getting a bit agitated. I was enjoying it."
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