Daniel Ricciardo thinks he can fight with Ferrari in China after claiming a surprise place on the front row of the grid in Shanghai.
The final session in qualifying looked set to be a battle between Nico Rosberg and the Ferraris but on the final runs a blistering lap from Ricciardo saw him jump into second. Neither Kimi Raikkonen or Sebastian Vettel were able to displace the Australian, leaving him well-placed to challenge in the grand prix.
Though Ricciardo thinks Rosberg will have a strategic edge after saving a set of super-soft tyres in qualifying the Red Bull driver is sure he can mix it with Ferrari at the very least.
"I think it's encouraging, if we can have this on one lap then in the race we should still be pretty competitive," he said. "We are normally a bit better off in the race so let's see, I think the race will be, hopefully racing with Ferrari.
"I think Nico, with him starting on the softs, he should be in good shape but let's see. I hope to have a race with Ferrari and a sweeping battle for the podium, I think that would be awesome."
Rain on Saturday morning disrupted FP3 and meant the track was still damp at the start of qualifying. Ricciardo had been frustrated with his set-up on Friday, when it was dry, and says the circuit conditions will play a big role in determining where he finishes Sunday's race.
"The track changed quite a lot today compared to yesterday, I felt the balance was quite a long way different so I think it depends if it goes more back towards yesterday's track conditions or if it stays as it is today.
"I think that will probably dictate where we end up in the race. What the track temp does tomorrow and if it wears out the front tyres or if it wears out the rears I think that's going to be the determining factor so hopefully we will be at the good end of that -- I think we should be so I'm looking forward to it."