'Nightmare situation': Daniel Ricciardo in qualifying 'disaster' at Japanese GP
Daniel Ricciardo has been cut from qualifying after the first session at the Japanese Grand Prix, in an embarrassing new fail for Renault.
Sebastian Vettel put Ferrari on pole position on Sunday, with teammate Charles Leclerc joining the German on the front row.
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However it was disaster for Renault and Ricciardo.
The Aussie driver recorded the 16th-fastest time in the opening qualifying session, eliminated alongside Sergio Perez, George Russell, Kevin Magnussen and Robert Kubica.
Ricciardo’s final lap came undone in a slow time in the starting sector and he couldn’t recover.
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Sky Sports pundit Ted Kravitz said the Renault cars weren’t equipped to handle the strong winds affecting the Japanese Grand Prix.
“It’s just that this car doesn’t have enough downforce,” he said.
“They’ve been struggling with the head winds and it throws the balance all over the shop.”
Ricciardo was fuming when asked for feedback over team radio.
"I'll give comments once I get back," he bristled.
Mercedes filled the second row, with Valtteri Bottas ahead of Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton, who starts fourth.
More disaster for Renault. Ricciardo is OUT in Q1. You've got to say that if Cyril Abiteboul was a football manager, he'd have been sacked ages ago.
— Ben Hunt (@benjhunt) October 13, 2019
Renault's having a classic Renault shocker in qualifying. Ricciardo out in Q1, Renault bottom of Q2 with a broken car. #F1 #JapaneseGP🇯🇵
— Michael Lamonato (@MichaelLamonato) October 13, 2019
Nightmare situation for Renault. Ricciardo getting knocked out in Q1 and now a problem with Hulkenberg. Will be out in Q2 too… #F1 #JapaneseGP
— Elton Lam (@walkingleaf79) October 13, 2019
Horrible day for Renault. Ricciardo out in Q1 and Hulkenberg down in P15 with a broken car. Aero updates not giving them the boost here they've have liked. #F1 #JapaneseGP
— Thomas Maher (@thomasmaheronf1) October 13, 2019
Ricciardo and Hulkenberg are too good drivers for a lousy car and a lousy team leader ...
— Rafael (@desmoGP19) October 13, 2019
Ricciardo’s “bold” team choices continue to sour race week after week. Hell of a P2 by Albon. https://t.co/DvgG1riMr0
— Aaron Thacker 🏈📱🎮 (@aaronthacker_) October 13, 2019
Qualifying moved due to deadly typhoon
Ricciardo earlier admitted his Renault team have had to adjust their build-up as F1 bosses revealed hopes that Sunday's race can go still ahead, despite the looming threat of Super Typhoon Hagibis.
With the most powerful typhoon of 2019 wreaking havoc on Japan, circuit officials took the decision to postpone Saturday's qualifying in Suzuka until the morning of Sunday's race.
Australian star Ricciardo revealed he was glad to bank two practice sessions on Friday.
Ricciardo, who sits 10th in the drivers championship, level on 34 points with his Renault teammate Nico Hulkenburg, told the team's website: "We focused on getting in as much running as possible today knowing tomorrow is off.
"We improved the car in the afternoon after a difficult morning and found some decent progress.
"We decided to complete some long runs and then short runs towards the end of the afternoon.
"Unfortunately, both low fuel laps were compromised with traffic - we're better than what the timesheets say - and I don't think we're too far off from where we want to be.
"Hopefully we can have a good qualifying and then be in a better position to race on Sunday."
Thousands of sandbags have arrived at the track in a bid to prevent the 3.6-mile course from flooding.
The paddock was effectively packed away with high winds set to batter the area. Residents have been instructed to stay inside.
Flights are being cancelled across the country, as are train services from Tokyo to Nagoya, near Suzuka, from Saturday morning.
with AAP