Daniel Ricciardo crashed out of qualifying for the Australian Formula 1 home Grand Prix for the first time in his career after the stewards canceled his time for exceeding the track limits. His RB teammate Júki Cunoda advanced to Q3.
Ricciardo saved himself from the quartet not advancing from the first part with a last attempt. But he fell back to 18th a few seconds later when his time was deducted for exceeding the track limits at turn four.
“I wouldn’t even say I was over the line when it happened. Pierre (race engineer) told me that and I knew what it meant. But even now I don’t think I was completely over the line,” said Ricciardo.
“I knew I was fighting it in the fourth corner and I knew I was a bit wider but it happens and then you’re thinking about the next corner so I almost forgot about it before he told me.
“I felt I gave everything to the bike so I was happy with it.
“The team from Saudi Arabia is trying hard to fix some things, set up the car and put in new parts. It looked better, but I’m still a little skeptical.’
Cunoda in Q3, focused on a faultless race
On the other hand, Júki Cunoda fought his way into the top ten, knocking Lewis Hamilton out of the top ten with his last attempt.
“I’m definitely happy. I didn’t expect to be in eighth place. I am very happy and many thanks to the team who gave me a very balanced car. I felt good from the first practice,” he said.
Tsunoda now has to focus on the race. If he doesn’t make a mistake, he could get points, he said.
“The last two races have been very frustrating for us, so we need that now. If we manage to put it all together, maybe we can even score.”
Tags: Ricciarda regrets dropping Cunoda advanced top ten F1sport .cz
