Ricciardo blitzes Miami in 'wild' qualifying
Daniel Ricciardo was one of the star performers of qualifying, recording the fourth-fastest time for Sunday’s sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix.
The Australian made it into the final qualifying session for the first time this season, with reigning champion Max Verstappen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez the only drivers to finish ahead of him.
Ricciardo also recorded quicker times than Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda was 15th, while neither Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell made it into Q3.
“I know it’s in me – but did I expect to do a second-row start? Probably not that good.
He never left 😉#F1Sprint #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/Ux5XCUvpYw
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“I felt really good in SQ2 and I knew that lap would be good enough for SQ3. I think at that point I was P5 and in my head I was thinking ‘P5 would be really nice for SQ3’ and then we got P4.
“It was wild because the laps were good but it’s hard to be really clean around here, it was a tricky track, and that middle sector, it’s hard to get it right. Both laps I kissed the wall, the first one was a hit, it felt pretty big.
“I was definitely pushing. It was really good. I’m very proud of what I did today but also the team has been bringing upgrades the last few races.
“I had the chassis change last race in China and we had a new floor here, so it definitely looks like it’s turning around.”
Ricciardo said he hopes to “go with the leaders” and grab the points at the top.
“Of course, I’ll happily take it, but it didn’t really feel enjoyable out there to drive for whatever reason."
Max's verdict on Sprint qualifying 📝#F1Sprint #MiamiGP
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“Certainly. I can dream of everything,” he added. “It’s just so nice starting towards the front. Even from the point of view of being out of that mid-pack, it’s normally a bit of chaos.
“Hopefully you go with the leaders, it’s a short race so hopefully get through enough of it with them and end up with a big bag of points.”
Despite capturing pole, Verstappen said he was surprised about the result due to a myriad of problems.
“It felt really terrible. Maybe that last session was just incredibly difficult to get the tyres to work,” the Red Bull driver said.
“Somehow we were first. Of course, I happily take it.
“But it didn’t feel enjoyable out there to drive for whatever reason because in practice it felt really, really nice, I was very comfortable and confident, qualifying, not so much.
“But somehow we ended up in first. I don’t know what happened to the other cars on that last lap.”