AusGP: Ricciardo buoyant leading into race

Daniel Ricciardo has already ticked off one of this season’s goals by qualifying in the top 10 for today’s Australian Grand Prix. The 22-year-old Toro Rosso driver is confident that good showing can translate into a solid race result.

“The ambition at the start of the weekend, as far as qualifying was concerned, was to get into Q3 and we have achieved that,” Ricciardo said.

“Before we got to Melbourne, we did not have a clear idea of how our pace would compare with the other teams. In fact, I thought Q3 might have been a little bit out of reach, so this was a really positive result for me and for the team.”

Tenth place represents the highest starting position in Ricciardo’s young F1 career and he’s hoping a good start off the line will set him up for a good finishing position in his maiden Australian Grand Prix.

“We should have a strong race as we are in good shape, so it will be a case of trying to get the best start possible followed by a good opening lap and see how we get on from there,” he said.

“It will be a bit of a new experience for me compared to last year as this is the first time I start a Grand Prix from as high as the mid-field.”

Ricciardo’s intra-team battle with rookie Jean-Eric Vergne will be one of 2012’s highlights and with the Frenchman alongside him in P11 their interactions during the race will be worth monitoring.

“We have laid the groundwork for Sunday and Jean-Eric is not far behind me, which will keep me on my toes, so as a team we can be pleased with the work we have done.”

[Pic: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]