Daniel Ricciardo thought his car would suffer more from the front wing damage he sustained in Turn 1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Ricciardo got caught up in a collision between Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, losing a front wing endplate in the impact. The damage looked significant, but Ricciardo was able to race on regardless and finished fourth, 32 seconds behind Hamilton in third but 15 seconds clear of Romain Grosjean in fifth.
"The first corner was tight," he said. "I saw some contact in front and managed to get caught up in it as well. Damaged the front wing. I was worried that I'd have to come into the pits and fix it, but in the end the damage was not as bad as I originally thought. So we were able to continue and get more points. So that was good.
"It is good points for the start of the year. First corner there was a bit going on and I thought I could capitalise on Bottas and Hamilton in front having some contact, but I also had a bit of contact with them.
"I saw some of my front wing fly off and I was worried about the damage, but in the end I could still do the race with this front wing. Sure we were compromised but even with a good front wing the podium was a bit difficult, so fourth is good and I am happy."
Ricciardo said he considered himself fortunate he was able to continue without a front wing change.
"Turn 1 is always tight here and we were all sideways and trying to avoid each other. Valtteri and Hamilton may have got some damage as well but from my side I was fortunate that it was not too much to change the front wing because then it is a long pit stop. To be able to continue the race was good."