Analysis
Formula 1
Analysis: Ricciardo’s Hamilton-beating form a boost for 2017
While Formula 1’s current title battle is now an exclusive fight between Mercedes duo Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo still has reason to feel upbeat about how he and Red Bull are ending the campaign.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Oct 20, 2016, 10:46 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
For although attention over the final four races may well be dominated by how the Mercedes battle plays out, there are signs of good momentum from Red Bull about what it is delivering at the moment – ahead of a 2017 campaign where it is expected to be back fighting regularly at the front.
In fact, what may have slipped many people’s attention is that in the five races since the summer break, it is Ricciardo and not Hamilton who has emerged as the best points scorer after Rosberg.
Taking into account the results of the Belgian, Italian, Singapore, Malaysian and Japanese GPs – which offers a good indication of form – the points rankings in order are as follows.
Driver Team Points 
Nico Rosberg Mercedes 115 
Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 79 
Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 63 
Max Verstappen Red Bull 50 
Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 48 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 45
In terms of constructors’, the points are:
Team Drivers Points Mercedes
Nico Rosberg
Lewis Hamilton
178 
Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo
Max Verstappen
129 
Ferrari
Kimi Raikkonen
Sebastian Vettel
93 
Force India
Sergio Perez
Nico Hulkenberg
53 Williams
Valtteri Bottas
Felipe Massa
28
Of course, Hamilton’s retirement with an engine failure in Malaysia has had a big impact on these scores and would be enough to reverse his and Ricciardo’s position – but there is no denying that Red Bull are chasing Mercedes hard.
Impressive development
Having enjoyed good progress from Renault, and with its RB12 chassis in an aerodynamic sweet spot, Red Bull’s rate of development during the season has been impressive as it has overtaken and pulled clear of Ferrari.
In fact, on the eve of that Malaysia win, Ricciardo said that he felt his Milton Keynes outfit was developing at a better rate than he had ever seen before – and was being helped in part by how much he and Max Verstappen were pushing each other.
“At the level we are maintaining, it is sure helping us in the team,” explained the Australian. “Everything we put on the car, and our feedback may be helping as well, all the updates seem to be going in the right direction.
“Since I’ve been with Red Bull, it’s been the best year for things like that. A lot of things we have used or brought on the car have worked – and we are certainly pushing each other. We are driving at a pretty good level.”
What does it mean for next year?
The fact that Red Bull has got its act together now, could be especially relevant for 2017 – as being on top of its chassis and development progress could be hugely important.
A number of F1 teams have talked about the staggering rate of downforce improvements they are finding with their wind tunnel programmes for the 2017 cars – which means that reaching the limits of what can be delivered with next year’s rules is still some way away.
That also points to a situation where there may be a simple case of the team that started the earliest with its 2017 development may be much further ahead than those that started later.
And although no outfit will confirm exactly when they flicked the switch across to full-on 2017 work, there seems a belief that it was actually Red Bull that committed first.
So with solid delivery of points now helping Ricciardo and Verstappen emerge as Mercedes’ biggest threat; and signals of promise with 2017 plans, excitement levels this winter may well be hard to contain prior to next year's cars hitting the track for the first time.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Interview: Sainz ready for big time after school of hard knocks
Next article Analysis: Five key battles from the final four F1 races
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
More from
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull reveals when 'silly' problems affecting Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar can be fixed
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
6 h
Red Bull reveals when 'silly' problems affecting Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar can be fixed
Max Verstappen pinpoints two recurring Red Bull problems: "We should use sign language!"
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Max Verstappen pinpoints two recurring Red Bull problems: "We should use sign language!"
Latest news
Kyle Busch and Greg Biffle named co-winners of Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Kyle Busch and Greg Biffle named co-winners of Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award
NASCAR makes amends for 2004 Dale Earnhardt Jr. swearing fine
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
18 min
NASCAR makes amends for 2004 Dale Earnhardt Jr. swearing fine
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
29 min
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Rally US reveals further details ahead of WRC 2027 return
WRC
WRC WRC 30 min
Rally US reveals further details ahead of WRC 2027 return
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe