News
‘That wasn’t fun’ – Ricciardo reflects on painful Q1 exit in Singapore amid speculation over his future
Share
Daniel Ricciardo cut a downbeat figure after making an early exit from qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix, with the Australian ending the session in P16 on a weekend where he has faced questions over his future.
RB enjoyed a successful Friday at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, a day in which Ricciardo and team mate Yuki Tsunoda featured within the top 10 during both practice sessions. This led to Ricciardo speaking positively about the team seemingly having a “decent package” at the track.
However, the picture looked very different come Saturday, with Ricciardo ending FP3 down in P17 before a tough qualifying saw him miss the cut for Q2, meaning that he will line up in 16th place on the grid.
Asked after the session where the pace had gone from Friday, the 35-year-old simply answered: “Yeah, today wasn’t good. Yeah… not sure. Not much to say.”
Ricciardo missed the cut for Q2 in qualifying at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, leaving him down in P16 on the grid
Pushed further on whether the VCARB 01 felt different – or if it had been a matter of lacking grip – Ricciardo explained: “We didn’t change much but, yeah, just was a lot harder for us to honestly get the most out of the new tyres, so nothing productive to say.”
The eight-time race winner also dismissed the possibility of the change in form being down to lacking confidence in the car.
“No, we were really confident yesterday,” he added. “Yesterday was good.
“That’s why we didn’t really change much and this morning it was… on the medium [tyre] we were okay, then we put the soft on and we were nowhere, but we thought obviously quali we’d get it sorted and we didn’t so, yeah, that wasn’t fun.”
‘Today wasn’t good’ – Ricciardo downbeat after Q1 exit
The result will perhaps do nothing to quell the rumours circulating over Ricciardo’s future at RB, with speculation over the possibility of his seat at the squad being taken by reserve driver Liam Lawson, who has been watching on in the garage during the weekend in Singapore.
There have even been suggestions of this potentially being Ricciardo’s last Grand Prix should the team opt to draft in Lawson for the final six races of the campaign.
Speaking further to Sky Sports F1 after qualifying, Ricciardo was asked how easy it had been to block the talk out, as well as being quizzed on what his mindset would be entering into Sunday.
The RB driver jokingly referenced Max Verstappen’s recent punishment for using bad language during a press conference when he responded: “Hmmm, I’ll get a day of community service if I swear, so let’s leave it there.”
DISCOVER MORE...
IT’S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we’re excited about ahead of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix
F1 FANTASY: Strategist Selection – What’s the best line-up for the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix?
GREATEST RACES #23: An F1 title decided by just half a point – 1984 Portuguese Grand Prix
EXCLUSIVE: Newey on improving Aston Martin’s ‘weak’ tools, being a ‘maverick’ and focusing on 2026
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
News ‘I don’t see any reason why not’ – Russell confident Mercedes can return to top-five fight in Spain after ‘two poor races’
News Limited edition ‘F1’ movie merchandise unveiled ahead of summer premiere
News ‘It was great to witness’ – Alonso reflects on how Newey’s presence in Monaco impacted ‘level’ of Aston Martin team
News ‘We’ve got to lift up to that level’ – Aston Martin boss Cowell addresses Newey’s 'weak tools' comments
