Ricciardo mellows in time for Belgian GP

Red Bull ace Daniel Ricciardo says he's leaving last month's first-lap fall-out with teammate Max Verstappen in the past.

Time with his family and a sincere shaking of hands has calmed Daniel Ricciardo in time for the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Formula One season resumes after a month-long break this weekend at Spa.

Few would have enjoyed the break - and its timing - more than the Western Australian.

On his last outing in Hungary, Ricciardo sensationally clashed with Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen which led to his first-lap retirement and a row between the pair.

The Dutchman apologised for the move, which Ricciardo said came from a "f***ing sore loser" and was "an amateur error"

But as is usually the case in motorsport, a reconciliation came about when both men jumped out of their cars and let cooler heads prevail.

"At that time you hate the whole situation and think 'I want to speak to the media! Now! Let me get it all off my chest!'," he told the sport's website.

"I think that everyone who has a competitive bone in his body can understand the heat of the moment - and the frustration.

"He was sincere when we shook hands and I was satisfied with that."

Ricciardo said he sensed a willingness from the 19-year-old hot-shot to improve his maturity behind the wheel.

"Last year he was a kid - now I see him as a young adult," he said.

"His apology was all I could ask for and the way we did it was not the kind where his manager was standing next to him or (team principal) Christian (Horner) was between us - it was a one-on-one."

Ricciardo said he enjoyed the company of his full family - mother, father, sister, brother-in-law and newly-born nephew - who flew out from Australia to Europe during a "super relaxed" break.

He resumes the championship in fourth place, behind only Ferrari-backed leader Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Valterri Bottas.


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Source: AAP



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