This was published 7 years ago
Daniel Ricciardo the best Formula One driver of 2016: Fernando Alonso
By Andrew Tate
Daniel Ricciardo has spent the past week training and surfing in California as he contemplates turning around a less than stellar record at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Australian has had five starts in the race at Interlagos, but has finished in the points just once – tenth in 2013 when racing for Toro Rosso.
With a firm grip on third place in the world championship, Ricciardo will have his 108th race start this Sunday fresh from some high praise from one of the sport's greats.
McLaren veteran Fernando Alonso this week nominated the Red Bull driver as the best driver on the grid in 2016.
The best: Daniel Ricciardo has received high praise from Fernando Alonso.Credit: Getty Images
"I would say Ricciardo right now because in the way he approaches racing he's always very committed to everything he does," Alonso told a BBC 5Live podcast. "On the track you cannot see any mistakes when you are together with him. In the overtaking manoeuvres probably he is the best out there.
"When he commits to one movement, 99 per cent [of the time] he will achieve the result that he wanted."
The battle for the world drivers' title is between Mercedes' teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilon, with Rosberg leading by 19 points. He can win the championship of he wins this week.