Ricciardo: AlphaTauri 'cartwheeling' after latest points triumph

Daniel Ricciardo has praised the efforts of AlphaTauri, after scoring his first points since his comeback at the Mexican Grand Prix.

The Australian finished in a credible seventh place behind George Russell, having qualified in fourth ahead of Sergio Perez.

Ricciardo managed to maintain his position inside the top ten for points, a week after teammate Yuki Tsunoda scored five points in the US Grand Prix.

"After last week Yuki [Tsunoda] got five points and it was huge for the team," Ricciardo told media, including RacingNews365.

"Everyone was cartwheeling and backflipping, so a week later to do six points we're very happy."

AlphaTauri currently sits on 16 points ahead of Alfa Romeo and behind Williams in seventh who are on 28 points with three races left to go.

Ricciardo: I was happy to be battling a Mercedes

Ricciardo was close to George Russell towards the end of the race, after Lando Norris passed both on his charge to fifth place.

Both Ricciardo and Russell ran close as the Australian got within his DRS window down the start/finish straight using the Hard tyres, while the Mercedes driver nursed his worn Mediums.

"Lando [Norris] passing George [Russell] probably hurt George's tyres a little bit, so that brought him back to me," explained Ricciardo.

"He protected well into Turn 4, I was trying to go on the outside but I could see we're both probably going to run off and had to abort mission.

"I think ultimately just to be battling a Mercedes at the end that makes me more happy than just missing out on sixth."