Ricciardo: F1 clash with Sainz was "rubbing racing"
Daniel Ricciardo has no qualms about accusations he got a bit "dirty" in his intense fight with Carlos Sainz in the United States Grand Prix.
Ricciardo initially got ahead of the Spaniard after a fraught battle on the first lap, and they remained close together for much of the race.
When Sainz tried to pass on lap 43 they touched, and the Ferrari driver – who suffered some front wing endplate damage – told his team "That got a bit dirty".
Ricciardo eventually finished fifth, a place behind the other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, while Sainz dropped to seventh behind Valtteri Bottas.
"At times it was let's say kind of a standard progressive race or whatever, but then at times it was interesting," said Ricciardo.
"The first lap was a lot of fun. I got Carlos I think on the start, then he got me back with a good move outside of six into seven.
"And then I got him back Turn 17 I think on the inside. So it was three kind of changes in position on the first lap was cool, but that was crucial for me to get a top five today.
"Charles showed that Ferrari were quicker, we couldn't match that pace today. So obviously that's something we've got to still try to find. But to beat one of them its quite rewarding.
"And [Sainz] put on a good attack later on in the race as well and we obviously went side-by-side, and a little bit of banging wheels. So it was very fun, and very needed to hold on for everything I could.
"Obviously you don't deliberately try to go into someone, but that's obviously a bit of a bit of rubbing racing.
"And when you put yourself on the outside, obviously you're a little bit more exposed. So nothing was deliberate, but I guess it's the risk that he ran by trying on the outside."
Told about Sainz's radio comment, he added: "That's cool. I'm happy to be dirty. I'm a nice guy, so being dirty every now and then is alright!"
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, in Parc Ferme
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Ricciardo admitted that it wasn't always easy to judge how to push on the tyres at COTA.
"It was definitely tricky, because when you come out of the pits on a new set, you have a little more grip. But if you use it early, then it drops away even quicker. It was a race where you never really felt you could push.
"I mean we're pushing, but it's only to what the tyre is capable of. So definitely there were some laps where you're in a little bit of limbo, do I push more or do I not?
"And then Carlos when he started to come and attack me more, I had no choice but to push, and there wasn't much left in it at times."
Related video
Mazepin’s "painful" US GP not helped by headrest coming off
FIA plans F1 driver talks over "marginal" Raikkonen call
The historic clues that offer hints of Hamilton’s next move
OPINION: Uncertainty over Lewis Hamilton's future has persisted since the race direction call that denied him an eighth world title in Abu Dhabi last month. But while walking away would be understandable, Hamilton has time and again responded well in the face of adversity and possesses all the tools needed to bounce back stronger than ever
What the FIA must do to restore F1's credibility
OPINION: The first stage of the 2022 Formula 1 pre-season is just over a month away, but the championship is still reeling from the controversial results of last year’s finale. The FIA acknowledges F1 has had its reputation dented as a result, so here’s how it could go about putting things right
The six subplots to watch in 2022 as a new F1 era begins
As Formula 1 prepares to begin a new era of technical regulations in 2022, We pick out six other key elements to follow this season
Why newly-retired Kimi Raikkonen won't miss F1
After 349 grand prix starts, 46 fastest laps, 21 wins and one world championship, Kimi Raikkonen has finally called time on his F1 career. In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com on the eve of his final race, he explains his loathing of paddock politics and reflects on how motorsport has changed over the past two decades.
Unpacking the technical changes behind F1 2022's rules shake-up
Formula 1 cars will look very different this year as the long-awaited fresh rules finally arrive with the stated aim of improving its quality of racing. We break down what the return of 'ground effect' aerodynamics - and a flurry of other changes besides - means for the teams, and what fans can expect
Why F1's new era is still dogged by its old world problems
OPINION: The 2022 Formula 1 season is just weeks away from getting underway, but instead of focusing on what is to come, the attention still remains on what has been – not least the Abu Dhabi title decider controversy. That, plus other key talking points, must be resolved to allow the series to warmly welcome in its new era
The Schumacher trait that will give Haas hope in F1 2022
Mick Schumacher’s knack of improving during his second season in a championship was a trademark of his junior formula career, so his progress during his rookie Formula 1 campaign with Haas was encouraging. His target now will be to turn that improvement into results as the team hopes to reap the rewards of sacrificing development in 2021
The “glorified taxi” driver central to F1’s continued safety push
As the driver of Formula 1’s medical car, Alan van der Merwe’s job is to wait – and hope his skills aren’t needed. James Newbold hears from F1’s lesser-known stalwart.