After being strong during practice, Daniel Ricciardo was confident heading into qualifying, but ultimately was left disappointed after only being able to qualify in fifth position at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
The Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver knew the battle for position behind Mercedes would be close, with Ferrari and Williams also showing strong pace, but was slightly downbeat on being only fifth.
“Practice looked really good but then all through Qualifying I wasn’t really that happy,” said Ricciardo. “We just struggled to find the right feeling with the car and the set-up.
“The asphalt was changing every time. It had a bit of grip and then it didn’t so it’s challenging. We didn’t change much to the car but it’s one of those sessions where you always try to find that little bit more but it never came in the end. I knew that Ferrari and Williams would try to give us a real challenge.”
Ricciardo still feels he is in a good position to have a good race however, and feels most drivers in Mexico will attempt a one-stop strategy.
“For the race, everyone will most likely try a one-stop, because it’s a new surface and not too aggressive on the tyres,” revealed Ricciardo. “It might rain overnight which will change the track again. It’s changing all the time so I hope it will be an exciting race.
“In the end to be fourth and fifth as a team is not bad and we can definitely race from there.”
