Daniel Riccardo: P3 at Eifel GP feels like my first F1 podium

Daniel Ricciardo says his first podium in over two years feels like his maiden rostrum after finishing third at the Eifel Grand Prix.

Ricciardo ran in third for much of the race following Valtteri Bottas’ power unit failure on Lap 19.

The Australian looked like he was under threat from Sergio Perez, who stopped much later for medium tyres but Ricciardo benefitted from a Safety Car period which allowed him to switch to softs meaning tyre wear wasn't a concern in the latter stages.

It was Ricciardo’s first podium finish since the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix, while Renault hasn’t tasted champagne since the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix.

“Yeah, it's been a while,” Ricciardo said. “To be honest it feels like the first podium all over again. I think it's been two and a half years or something. The feeling is really nice, it is fresh. So wow, so happy and honestly to see everyone else as well, we have all waited a long time for this. So I think everybody is going to soak it up.

It’s been a running joke throughout 2020 with Ricciardo and Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul saying that if the Australian scores a podium this season then Abiteboul will be forced to have a tattoo.

Ricciardo confirmed after the race that it’s definitely going to happen with the theme of the tattoo going to be German orientated given the race took place at Germany's Nurburgring. 

“Yeah, it is real,” Ricciardo added. “It is real, it is going to happen. We will have to do some thinking now. But probably something to do with, something to do with me, but I think with a German flavour. This is obviously the place we did it, so a little tip of the hat to something traditional in Germany as well.”