Ricciardo: Mercedes 'turning up the volume' ended Red Bull win shot

Mercedes had tipped Red Bull to push it hard at the Hungaroring, where the champion team had not previously won in the turbocharged hybrid era, but ultimately secured another one-two with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Ricciardo was taking a second per lap out of the Mercedes for a spell early in the second stint once all were on soft tyres.

He opted for an early final stop to try to put more pressure on them with fresh tyres but fell away and had to fend off Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari for third.

"There were moments when we looked competitive compared to Mercedes," Ricciardo said.

"When the first stint settled, they had a bit more pace.

"At the start of the second stint with the soft, it seemed competitive but in the end it looked like Mercedes was doing just what they needed to do and then got stronger and stronger.

"We thought they were perhaps struggling so we thought we'd be aggressive to get close if they were going to pit soon.

"It was trying to fight for the win at the time as opposed to defending.

"Then once we pitted, it looked like they just turned up the volume unfortunately."

Ricciardo had nosed into the lead very briefly at the start after making a better getaway than both Mercedes and then outbraking them down the outside into Turn 1.

"I couldn't really see Lewis and Nico, who were in my blindspot," he said.

"At the apex, I thought I was in the lead then saw one Merc sneak up.

"I was on inside in Turn 2 but Nico had a clear run and better drive.

"We probably wouldn't have lasted the 70-odd laps [in front] if I had the lead at the start.

"But what if? I don't know."