Formula 1

Daniel Ricciardo: “I didn’t really feel we had the car to complete one lap at 100%”

1 Mins read
Daniel Ricciardo was sixth fastest in qualifying for the Belgium Grand Prix - Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Daniel Ricciardo felt there was little more that he could have done during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday, with the Australian being forced to settle for sixth on the grid.

The Red Bull Racing driver was out-qualified by team-mate Max Verstappen by almost half a second around Spa-Francorchamps but found that when he attempted to push the car more in any of the sector, it compromised him in other areas.

Despite this, he hopes this means a better, more consistent set-up on RB13, and better pace for race day, where he hopes to move forward and fight for a podium finish.

“We were a bit off in Q1 but I knew there was more time and then in Q2 we got closer to the pace that we needed,” said Ricciardo. “Unfortunately in Q3, when you really start to get everything out of it, we couldn’t get much more.

“I felt like if I pushed more in one part of the track it killed me in another part so I didn’t really feel we had the car to complete one lap at 100%. I just felt a little bit limited with the balance. But I’m going to be optimistic and say, if that’s the case maybe that means we have got a more consistent car for the race.

“If we’re not getting the peak out of the tyre maybe we can sustain a relatively good pace for longer than the others, so that’s what I’m betting on.”

13768 posts

About author
Long time motorsport fanatic, covering Formula 1 and the occassional other series. Feel free to give him a follow on Twitter at @Paul11MSport.
Articles
Related posts
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix – What the Drivers are Saying after the Race – Part 2

7 Mins read
Those who missed out on points in Australia reflect on their races, including Max Verstappen, who retired from a Grand Prix for the first time since the same event in 2022.
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix – What the Drivers are Saying after the Race – Part 1

7 Mins read
The top ten finishers at Albert Park reflect on their performances after the conclusion of round three of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix – Sainz Claims Victory as Verstappen Retires

4 Mins read
Carlos Sainz Jr. won the Australian Grand Prix in a Ferrari one-two after pole sitter Max Verstappen was forced out with a braking issue early on to end his chance of victory.