Ricciardo happy to see Red Bull fighting at the front
F1 News
Daniel Ricciardo passed on the chance to drive a Red Bull with a Honda engine but the Renault driver has tipped his hat to his former team and their engine provider for the package they've pulled together.
Ricciardo's former teammate Max Verstappen secured his second career pole position at Interlagos on Saturday and will start ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. It is the second pole position Verstappen and Honda have achieved this season after the Dutchman's maiden one at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo will start down in 11th for the race but he found time to give credit to Honda and Red Bull after Max's pole position lap.
"Yeah, I was impressed with that," Ricciardo said when asked about it by Autosport.
"I just watched Max's lap probably five minutes ago and that's definitely a good lap.
"I've been with Max for three years so I know he's capable of putting a car on pole, but I think to have that pace - I mean it's a downforce but it's also a power circuit - was impressive.
"So they certainly found something. Hats off to them.
"And actually hand on heart, some people are like, 'ahh, he's probably bitter a Red Bull got on pole', but I think it's great. I want to see more teams fight for it. The last few races has been Mercedes or Ferrari on pole, so with Red Bull it's good.
"Now obviously it's our job to get up there, but I'm glad that it's now a three-way fight."