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F1 US GP: Ricciardo: Momentum? It’s probably just confidence

Daniel Ricciardo says he is driving with confidence following a strong run of performances that has consolidated his third place in the Formula 1 World Championship standings with four races remaining.

Following the disappointment of missing out on victory in the Monaco Grand Prix, Ricciardo has shown fine form since returning to the podium Hungary, notching up five rostrum finishes in the last seven races.

Peaking with his victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix and spurred on by the growing competiveness of the Red Bull Racing team, Ricciardo feels his growing confidence behind the wheel of the RB12 is pushing him on to a new level.

"Since Silverstone I had not been on the podium for a while, and then in Budapest I got a podium, and since then I have had a podium at every race except Monza and Suzuka. So you could say I have had good momentum. It is probably just confidence. Momentum is another word for confidence.

"My self-belief and my level of confidence is at a good level. It is where it needs to be. I am happy with that. At the same time you don't want it to go too crazy, then you probably start...it probably has a reverse effect, you probably become a bit complacent and things like this.

"The win felt good and I felt like it was in a way a bit of a relief. But for confidence it has been at a solid level for quite a while, so I have just maintained that.

"So I feel good now, absolutely, coming into this race with positivity. And if it brings another good result, we will just keep calling it momentum then!"

Ricciardo currently has a 42 point advantage over fourth place Kimi Raikkonen in the fight for third in the overall standings. 

Zdroj: crash.net