Daniel Ricciardo wants another Formula One win in 2017 to confirm his belief he will be a contender for next year’s championship.
And the Australian has indicated Sunday’s race in Singapore may be the best chance of the remaining seven grands prix to claim his second victory of the season.
Ricciardo has finished on the dais in his last three trips to Singapore, setting the fastest lap for the past two years and finishing runner-up on both occasions.
He has arrived this year after six podiums in the last nine races. The Perth-born driver also came from 16th to finish fourth last-start in Italy in an impressive display of overtaking.
“We’ve certainly got stronger and stronger,” the 28-year-old told reporters Friday.
The Singapore street circuit is believed to best suit Ferrari as Sebastian Vettel aims to reclaim the championship lead from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
Ricciardo, ranked fourth but outside title contention this year, is adamant he can provide a strong challenge.
“(On) the high downforce circuits, we’ve been pretty good but getting better,” he said.
“Coming here, with a few updates as well, we should be there.
“It doesn’t seem like these sort of circuits this year are a strength of Mercedes either so I think it could bring Ferrari and us really into that battle.
“I hope at least it’s going to be a tight and exciting one.”
After a disastrous start to the season with a non-finish in Melbourne, Ricciardo has rebuilt his confidence and is happy with Red Bull’s progress.
A strong second-half of this season was crucial to his prospects next year, he said.
“We want to win more. We’ve fortunately got one this year,” he said.
“I believe we can win another and then obviously next year to start accumulating more and obviously fight for a title.
“That’s what we really want. We’re certainly going in that direction, particularly if I look back at Melbourne. That feels like another season ago.
“We’re in a completely different position so progress has been good. I think we’ve got to keep that going to Abu Dhabi and then make another step across the (northern) winter to start strong for 2018.”