- Ricciardo had never been eliminated in Q1 in Australia
- Delivered clutch innings to put himself in a strong position
- However, the stewards canceled the time due to a technicality
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Daniel Ricciardo has been eliminated from the first qualifying session at the Australian F1 Grand Prix at Albert Park for the first time in history after exceeding track limits.
The Aussie had delivered what appeared to be one final lap to advance to Q2 before the stewards deleted that time because they believed Ricciardo exceeded the track limits at Turn 5.
The deleted lap time would have placed Ricciardo in the top 10 and been good enough for him to progress to Q2,
Ricciardo had high hopes of finishing strongly in qualifying when he arrived at Albert Park today
Stewards judged Ricciardo to have exceeded the track limits at Turn 5, eliminating him from Q2 and will see him start from the back row of the grid on Sunday
But the stewards’ call means Ricciardo will not progress to Q2 and will start on the back row of the grid based on his second-best lap time, leaving the Aussie in 18th place.
RB team manager Laurent Mekies said: ‘It’s very hard to swallow, but that’s how it is. Daniel did a very good job, probably his best lap so far and more than enough to get into Q2.
‘He was a bit wide in turn 5 and with a few centimeters we are on our way away.’
Piastri had a strong showing in qualifying and will start sixth on the grid at the Australian F1 Grand Prix on Sunday
McLaren has high hopes that Piastri or teammate Lando Norris can make the podium in Melbourne
Meanwhile, Australia’s rising star Oscar Piastri will start Sunday’s race from sixth after an impressive qualifying session for McLaren.
“Exciting,” Piastri said.
‘It’s been a good weekend so far. We have good momentum. Let’s see what we can do.’
Max Verstappen is eyeing a third straight victory to open 2024, with the defending Formula One world champion claiming pole for the Australian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull superstar qualified on Saturday as he aims to back up last year’s race win at Albert Park.
Verstappen secured his 35th career pole, finishing ahead of resurgent Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.