Ricciardo fires back with blazing P5 qualifying performance

Daniel Ricciardo’s revitalised qualifying efforts in Canada have momentarily silenced the haters, with the Australian “very pleased” to be less than two-tenths from pole position in P5. 

Facing much criticism in the media this weekend, Ricciardo’s performance during this morning’s qualifying session has done a world of good for his confidence.

The Australian secured his best Grand Prix qualifying result of the season, out-qualifying his teammate on the road to a fifth-place starting position.

“I’m very pleased about today,” Ricciardo said. 

“It’s been a really good weekend, a lot of fun, and one of those ones where everything’s just feeling good. 

“We are less than two-tenths from pole, and even if it’s not today’s case, sometimes this means being on the front row, so it’s nice being competitive and feeling comfortable in the car.”

It was a close call in the opening stage of qualifying, with Ricciardo scraping through to Q2 in an at-risk P14, less than a tenth clear of the elimination zone.

At the same point in time, Yuki Tsunoda had a clear advantage over the #3, advancing to the next stage with the second fastest time. 

In Q2, things turned around for Ricciardo as his earlier manifestations of a Q3 appearance came true.

Ricciardo and his teammate, as rare entries in the top ten, were two of the main contenders pushing Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz into their shock Q2 exits.

The #3 did drop back into the elimination zone in the closing stages of Q2, however, his last-ditch attempt promoted him clear of danger with the eighth fastest time. 

In Q3, Ricciardo charged to a P5 start for the Canadian Grand Prix, narrowly missing out on a place on the second row.

“In Q3 it was very important to have a fast warm-up lap and this is what I told the team,” he said.

“I did it and then had the right confidence for the push lap. 

“It was nice to put the lap together, but I’m not surprised, I know when I feel like this, I can do these things. 

“I’m happy that I was able to get it out of myself, but happy and credit to the team, both cars going into Q3 and happy to reward them with a very nice result.”

No stranger to success at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Ricciardo was glad to commemorate his ten-year milestone victory with a positive outing. 

“I always feel something special coming here to Montréal and I’ve got good memories: exactly ten years ago I got my first win here and my life changed. 

“Also, the team feels there’s some good energy this weekend, so happy to convert that into some good driving. 

“Tomorrow, we start in a good spot inside the top 5, with some good front-running guys around me, so I’ll get the best out of myself during the race.” 

Lights out for the must-watch Canadian Grand Prix will occur at 4:00 AM (AEST).

Image: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

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