Ricciardo: Strong hunger could see podium finish 'sooner rather than later'

Daniel Ricciardo says that maintaining his current level of hunger with the Renault team could see him achieve a podium finish "sooner rather than later".

After a lacklustre start to the season, Renault finished sixth and seventh in Canada last time out, while Ricciardo managed his best qualifying result of the year - sticking his car in fourth place for the start of the Grand Prix.

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The Australian says he has been gaining confidence and motivation ever since teammate Nico Hulkenberg out-qualified him at the opening round of the year in Melbourne. 

"The year has been going okay personally, especially with the engineers," Ricciardo said. "Nico came out strong and out-qualified me at the start of the year, when he only had one run in Q2.

"I had two chances and didn't get him, so since then I've been able to put it together.

"I'm motivated and I want to get back on the podium. I know we're still not there, but I think if I keep this level of drive and hunger then it's going to come sooner rather than later."

Ricciardo feeling 'more natural' inside the car

The P6 result in Canada was Ricciardo's second consecutive top ten finish of the season, and his third overall. 

Ricciardo added that the feeling inside the car is now natural to him, as he has worked from the start of the season to eke out the remaining couple of tenths. 

"I think now I'm already comfortable and I think I'm already starting to drive a little differently compared to last year in some areas, the former Red Bull racer said.

"Even the way I brake into a corner, the way I pick up the throttle, just based on the characteristics, I feel like I've already adopted new habits.

"At winter testing, I already felt like I got up to speed well, but getting that last five per cent is going to take time. But I like to think that I'm in that window now when I wasn't at the first few weekends."