A week after the Spanish Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo admits to still feeling "disappointed" and "frustrated" by losing out on what he feels was an almost certain victory.

The race leader in the wake of the Mercedes clash, despite subsequently losing the lead to his teammate, Max Verstappen, was convinced that he would end the day on the top step of the podium.

However, reacting to Ferrari's three-stop strategy with Sebastian Vetel, Red Bull opted to switch the Australian from his two stop strategy to a three stopper also. However, it was the two stop strategy used by teammate Verstappen that was to prove the quicker, allowing the youngster to take a historic maiden win.

Unable to pass Vettel in the closing stages of the race, Ricciardo was further hampered by a late puncture which necessitated another stop, though he was able to do this without losing fourth place.

A week later, and the popular Australian is still finding it hard to come to terms with the disappointment.

"I think the outcome of the race was frustrating," he admitted. "Is it easy to move on? I wouldn't say easy. Can you move on? Absolutely.

"Yeah, it has been a few days since the race and I still wake up with it on my mind. I am going to bed with it off my mind but waking up it with it on my mind. It will take a bit of time.

"But I think it is more probably, as well, the last three races haven't..." he breaks off. "I feel, the end result hasn't been what we deserved. I think there has been always been something to have and be available to me. Now it is like, ‘come on', At the same time, it is racing and that is part of it.

"It is a tough one," he continued. "Part of me is happy that the team is winning again and I think part of me is happy that everyone's super motivated and confidence is high. So that is a positive: and that I am trying to draw myself to. From a personal side, it is massively frustrating. It is a tough one. Sure it is a team sport, but you are doing it for yourself as well and it is as individual as it is team. That balance is a tricky one to try to manage. From a personal side, it is still hard one to take."

Regarding his new teammate, he said: "Max is a serious F1 driver and that is actually really good for me. It is a good motivation and I said when I joined Red Bull, I came against Seb and I wanted to come against the best and challenge myself. And now Max is the newest challenge for me. He is a big one.

"I think in a way it is good that he is having this success. If I can get on top of that then it is only good for me and probably for both of our careers."

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1. Posted by testa rossa, 21/05/2016 12:10

"If he and Vettel were on a 2 stopper , Vettel would have won . So stop whining Rizzardo."

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2. Posted by TokyoAussie, 21/05/2016 0:36

"I think he has good justification for being pissed off. Ricciardo and Vestappen were only 1 second apart on the track when the strategy decision was made. By putting Ricciardo on 3 stops instead of Vestappen, Ricciardo not only had to catch his teammate, but then had to pass him on track, a position he already held. Conversely, if Vestappen had been switched to 3 stops, he too would have to pass his teammate on track, but that was already his set task, so no gain no loss. And on a track that is notoriously difficult for passing, just ask Kimi. Sure, take the chance of splitting strategies. I have no problem with that. But it was obvious at the time that they put the wrong car on a 3-stopper. It could take many laps to pass another car, if it's even possible to begin with, and that's a heavy price to pay when you were already ahead beforehand.

As soon as I saw the pit stop, I knew Ricciardo was doomed. Ferrari made the same blunder with Vettel. "

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Ricciardo still feels Spain pain

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