McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo says a Q1 exit is a driver’s “worst nightmare”, as he was left in shock over his early qualifying departure at Portimao on Saturday.
The Australian failed to advance out of the opening stage of qualifying and is set to take the start of Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Prix in 16th.
Reflecting on the session, Ricciardo states he failed to produce a clean lap during Q1, citing issues such as traffic and playing catch-up on his best attempt.
“A big disappointment. I’m still in a little bit of shock,” Ricciardo said. “And how the session went, to be out in Q1, it is your worst nightmare as a driver.
“The Medium [tyre] at the beginning of the run was okay. We just did not get a clean lap, and then the Soft was just messy. Already into Turn 1, I did not feel that I was helped with some traffic, and then the end of the lap just trying to hang onto the rear of the car.
“[I] just did not really get going from the start of the lap, and probably trying to play catch-up at the end meant a lot of mistakes. So not a good one.
“I am certainly still trying to get out of, let’s say, a little bit of an old style, so I’m still quite conscious about how I approach every corner.
“It felt like yesterday I made a good step towards that. I certainly felt comfortable yesterday, or more comfortable than a couple weeks ago, so that is why to be standing here now is pretty dark.”
Looking ahead to the race, Ricciardo is adamant he will enjoy a more positive day, with McLaren’s long-run pace from Friday placing it towards the head of the midfield pack.
“Tomorrow, I do not want to guarantee, but I’m convinced that it is going to be better,” Ricciardo said. “A lot of work ahead now, to be starting where I am, and just try and put it behind me.
“It is a session I do not want to think about too much, and just try and focus on the race now. A tough one, a really tough one to deal with.”
I hate to say it, but I don’t think Ricciardo will ever win a championship due to being a victim of bad timing — I think it’s just too late and he’s fading as he approaches age 32. I think he will forever be a Coulthard, or Webber, who is another perfect example of bad timing, someone who needed to be placed in a top car from the get-go, who could have won multiple championships. Rosberg is another, should have been in a McLaren or Ferrari from the get-go and won titles there. It’s really a shame. Ricciardo is one of the handful of drivers who if put in a Mercedes starting in 2014, would most definitely have multiple titles by now. But now he is about to turn 32 (which isn’t old, but this is F1), and there are young guys like Norris, Verstappen, Ocon, and Russell who have moved into his territory, who I think are now quicker overall.
I’ve always liked Ricciardo, his upbeat attitude, humour and some good performances have made him stand out in a sport where the drivers are usually either winning or whining. But I suspect he’s going to be one of those drivers who’s career never meets expectations. To win you need luck, timing and ability, just one of the three isn’t enough.