Aussie racer Daniel Ricciardo is aiming to qualify at least third in the season finale this weekend after finishing fourth and fifth overall on the opening day.
During his last Friday work for the 2016 Championship season, the Red Bull driver completed 50 laps of the Yas Marina Circuit, only five shy of Sunday’s full race distance and while he wasn’t quite as fast as his young teammate, Daniel is confident that qualifying will yield a strong fight here on Saturday night.
"It's hot here, even if it's night-time and the tyres get worked pretty hard both front and rear so relative to everyone I think we still look pretty good,” he said after the session. “If we all put it together tomorrow we're more or less there and I'm confident it'll be a good fight for third place.”
The two Mercedes drivers finished one two in both sessions, as many expected, however Daniel doesn’t believe they are that much faster, something that gives him hope for a strong race on Sunday…
“As expected Mercedes are ahead but I don't think they are miles ahead, so looking at today maybe we can still race them on Sunday,” he added. “My last Friday at the track for this season wasn't bad.I think everyone predicts Lewis to take pole so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out tomorrow. I definitely felt comfortable today and am looking forward to the next two days."
