The Red Bull driver finished third after having to abort his final flying lap as a result of the yellow flags displayed after Fernando Alonso had spun his McLaren.

Ricciardo was three tenths off pole position, but reckons his lap was set to be quicker than that before he had to lift.

"I think we would have got close on the last run with the yellow," said Ricciardo. "It sounded like Lewis [Hamilton] was improving. I did a 20.2 and I think I was 3.5 tenths up on my time, so I think it would have been very close to the time Nico set.

"So I was pretty frustrated on the radio but anyway, it is what it is.

"We made some ground today over yesterday, which is nice, as normally Mercedes in qualifying, if they don't hold the gap, they normally increase it.

"I did a long run this morning which was more comfortable than yesterday, so signs are we should be more competitive than yesterday. We will give it a good crack."

He added: "I was pretty angry on the last lap as I was up a bit and I think it would have put me close to pole – I am a little bit disappointed."

Ricciardo outqualified teammate Max Verstappen, who will start from fourth, and the Australian was pleased to be back in front after finishing behind the Dutchman in the previous qualifying at Silverstone.

"Always you want to be beat your teammate, that is always your first target. Everyone wants to win but if you cannot win, you want to win the team battle.

"Obviously, Max has done really well and got some great results since he has been here and I believe we are pushing each other to the next level."