DANIEL Ricciardo was in buoyant mood after he put in another strong performance to finish fourth at an action-packed Tuscan Grand Prix.

The Australian, who drives for Enstone-based Renault, was third with nine laps to go at Mugello after he negotiated a chaotic start that saw six cars retire within the first lap.

There were also two red flags during the afternoon.

It meant the 31-year-old was pleased to take his third fourth place of 2020.

“We can’t get any closer than that and we’ll keep pushing,” he said.

“It hurts not to be on the podium after that, but fourth is still a big result today.”

Teammate Esteban Ocon was forced to retire with a brake issue, while Williams driver Nicholas Latifi was caught up in a four-car accident following one of the safety car restarts.

George Russell looked on the cusp of claiming the Grove-based team’s first points of the season, but he fell just short in 11th.

Russell said: “Under normal circumstances with the great initial start we had, we would have been in the points.”

Banbury-based Haas also failed to score, with Kevin Magnussen retiring early on and Romain Grosjean finishing 12th.

Bradley Smith was the last man across the line at the San Marino Grand Prix.

The Forest Hill rider had high hopes after his Aprilia team had conducted extensive testing at Misano before the season, but he finished 19th.

Smith’s teammate Aleix Espargaro was 13th and picked up three points.

The 29-year-old is 19th in the riders’ championship on eight points, while Aprilia are bottom of the constructors table.

Smith will be hoping to avoid a repeat next weekend when he returns to the same circuit for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.