Frustrated Ricciardo blames bad luck for shock Q2 exit in Hungary

Daniel Ricciardo admits he is “growing frustrated” after his latest Formula 1 setback, following a shock exit from qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. 

The Red Bull driver ended up being eliminated in Q2 during a wet qualifying session in Budapest, and was left to rue a mix of bad luck and poor decision making for only qualifying 12th on the grid for Sunday’s race. 

Ricciardo scraped through the opening session after Red Bull opted for a different strategy by running on Soft tyres as the rest of the field opted for Ultrasofts. He was among a number of runners to begin Q2 on Ultrasofts, only to have to return to the pitlane for intermediates when rain started to fall. 

The Australian then had to abort his first flying lap when Lance Stroll spun out in front of him. As conditions continued to worsen, Ricciardo was forced to switch onto full wets but was unable to improve on his time. 

When asked if he felt his exit had been down to bad luck or bad strategy, Ricciardo replied: “A bit of both. The timing then created the bad luck, but Seb [Vettel] was the smartest guy in Q2 and went out on the inters. We all went out on the ultras and came back. 

“So we lost some time there, but then having Stroll spin in front of me, that was the big one. Even just being that deep in the pack, we needed to be as far forward as possible to get a clear track because the rain was coming so every second made a more wet track. 

“So every bit of track position you gained was important. A bit of timing but more bad luck. Without the spin of Stroll we’d have made it through.”

Red Bull had hoped for a strong result around the tight and twisty Hungaroring, with Ricciardo previously pinpointing Hungary and Singapore as the team’s best remaining chances for a victory this season. 

“We had a triple header to try and get one, and now this is a double header. At least up until today it hasn’t really turned around,” he said. “I haven’t got any revenge. So it will be a good time for the break. 

“I need some time away from the car, I am growing frustrated with these problems. Probably healthy for me as well to have a bit of time off. But after tomorrow. I’ll still function up to tomorrow.”

Teammate Max Verstappen could only manage the seventh-best time in Q3 in what turned out to be a disappointing day for the Milton Keynes-based squad. 

“Me going out in Q2 was a big disappointment, I don’t know if that was a bigger disappointment or Max [Verstappen] seventh in Q3,” Ricciardo added. “In the wet I am sure everyone was thinking maybe one car can get pole. 

“We kind of wanted the wet but it didn’t happen. Tomorrow is going to be dry. I’d love for it to be a two stop but probably going to be a one stop. At least now I can start on a different tyre if I wish.”