Ricciardo secures “wild” second-row start for Miami Sprint

Miami is off to a refreshing start for Daniel Ricciardo, with the RB driver stunning in this morning’s Sprint Qualifying session to secure a “wild” second-row start for the Sprint.

The Australian’s revitalised form rewarded him with an SQ3 appearance and his highest start of the season, all while out-qualifying Yuki Tsunoda in the process.

Ricciardo will line up alongside Sergio Perez, a tasty duel into Turn 1 as the #3 not only eyes down a brave lunge for the final podium position but also for Perez’s seat in 2025. 

The #3 said he didn’t know where that lap came from, however, had quiet confidence after recalling the fact that he’s been able to do it so many times before.

“I don’t know… I mean, I know. I’ve been able to do it before so I know it’s in me,” Ricciardo said.

“But did I expect to do a second-row start? Ah, probably not that good!”

From the outset of the 44-minute session, Ricciardo was on the pace, matching and surpassing his teammate as they produced their opening flying laps.

In the final three minutes of SQ1, Ricciardo found himself within the elimination zone.

Putting his head down, the ‘Honey Badger’ set a personal best lap, recording green sectors as he crossed the line with the ninth quickest time overall.

Daniel Ricciardo on track at the Miami Grand Prix. Image: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.

Ricciardo turned up the pace in SQ2, lighting up the timing sheets fresh out of the gates. 

The Australian slotted his rainbow VCARB 01 into a brilliant second place, two and a half tenths back on the lead Red Bull despite making light contact with the wall at Turn 16.

Impressively, Ricciardo was also quicker than the likes of Oscar Piastri, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.

Tsunoda had held out on going the track until the final moments of the session, a decision that ultimately cost the Japanese driver greatly when he was knocked out in P15.

As a result, Tsunoda has now been out-qualified by Ricciardo for a third straight time as the #3 advanced through to the third stage of qualifying for the first time in his season.

“I felt really good in Q2 and I knew that lap would be good enough for Q3, so I think at that point we were P5,” Ricciardo said.

“In my head, I was like ‘Ah, P5 would be really nice for Q3,’ and then we got P4.

“It was wild ‘cause both… I mean, the laps were good, but they were… you know, it’s hard to be really clean around here, it’s just a tricky track and that little middle sector, jumping across the chicane, it’s hard to get it right.

“Both laps I hit the wall, on the exit of Turn 16… oh ‘kissed’ the wall!

“The first one was a hit, it actually felt pretty big but yeah, ‘kissed’ the wall.

“I was definitely pushing, I don’t know if that helped my lap time, but yeah, it was really good.”

Daniel Ricciardo on track at the Miami Grand Prix. Image: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.

Not looking to settle for ninth or tenth place, Ricciardo had proved himself a threat for the top five after finishing SQ2 in P5.

As the cars trundled out of the pitlane to start the final session, Ricciardo tentatively followed Verstappen around the Miami International Autodrome.

The drivers had only allowed themselves one final attempt after exiting the pitlane with less than four minutes to go in the session, making it do or die for Ricciardo who has been looking for his big break since the field’s first outing in Bahrain. 

The Australian was the clear standout of the session, putting together a near-flawless lap to qualify in fourth place.

“Obviously, I’m very proud of what I did today but also the team has been bringing updates the last few races.

“Obviously, I had the chassis changed last race in China and we had a new floor here so things definitely look like it’s turning around.”

His lap time was a 1:28.044s, still four-tenths back on the #1, however, a hugely positive result for the RB garage.

Ricciardo said that he’ll dream of a podium tomorrow, however, with zero points to his name six rounds in, a top-eight finish will be more than welcomed tomorrow.

“Certainly, [I can dream of a podium]… I can dream of everything!” The Honey Badger said.

“It’s just so nice starting from the front, even just kind of being out of that mid-pack, that kind of… normal bit of chaos.

“Hopefully, you kind of go with the leaders at the beginning.

“It’s a short race so, hopefully, get through enough of it with them in the first few laps and end up with a good bag of points.”

The Sprint kicks off at 2:00 AM, Sunday morning, AEST.

2024 Miami Grand Prix schedule 

Saturday, May 4

Practice 1: 02.30-03.30

Sprint Shootout: 06.30-07.14

Sunday, May 5

Sprint: 02.00-03.00

Qualifying: 06.00-07.00

Monday, May 5

Grand Prix: 06.00

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