Ricciardo “hungry” to end McLaren’s nine-year F1 win drought at Monza

Ricciardo will start on the front row of the grid for the first time since the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix after finishing third in the sprint race.

The McLaren driver made a great start from fifth on the grid, making the most of his grippier soft tyres to get past Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, before challenging Max Verstappen at Turn 1.

He’s elevated to second on the grid alongside Verstappen as Valtteri Bottas has taken a new power unit for this weekend and thus will start from the back.

McLaren hasn’t won in F1 since 2012, while Ricciardo hasn’t stood on the top step since the Monaco GP in 2018.

While McLaren doesn’t have the outright pace to topple Red Bull nor Mercedes, Ricciardo says he’s 'ready to make it a reality' should things go in his favour on race day.

“I will probably dream a little bit about it tonight but I am ready to make that a reality for sure,” Ricciardo said in the press conference. “Also for McLaren, it’s been a long time, for me it’s been a long time. It’s definitely refreshing to be back up here. We’re close. I know a few things will probably have to swing in our favour tomorrow but we will certainly put ourselves in the fight, in the hunt.

“Very excited to get going with that and try to make some good stuff happen. They were second here last year. We’re there or thereabouts. I am hungry. Anyone’s that saw me after qualifying yesterday, I think there not surprised about this outcome today.”

The Australian has endured a difficult season McLaren as he trails teammate Lando Norris by 57 points in the drivers’ championship.

Ricciardo was delighted to be back among the frontrunners in F1.

“For sure I am happy,” Ricciardo added. “We’ve got the big one tomorrow so I think I’ve done the job today - ticked the box to get me in a better starting spot, front row. Maybe Mexico was the last time Max and I were on the front row? I remember.

“Looking forward to that and hopefully we have strong pace like we did today. It wasn’t enough for Max and Valtteri today but I felt I was able to hold onto third pretty comfortably so we will try and just learn a bit from today and use that for tomorrow to keep us up in this room.”