McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo believes a brief loss of power denied him the opportunity of a top six result at Formula 1’s Styrian Grand Prix.
A strong opening handful of laps at the Red Bull Racing enabled Medium-starter Ricciardo to progress from 13th on the grid to ninth.
However, the Australian was hit with a sudden loss of power, which dropped him back down to 13th, where he remained until the chequered flag.
“It was disheartening because I had such a great start, and I was on a preferred strategy with the Mediums,” Ricciardo said.
“It felt like the cars ahead would have struggled on the Softs and we were in a really good position, 13th to ninth, so it was all there ahead of us.
“Then I lost power. I felt it out of Turn 1, and then I got some switches and we were able to recover it by Turn 7 or 8. But everyone I passed on lap one I waved back past me.
“Then you’re in the train and that’s it, afternoon done. We were ahead of [Carlos] Sainz on the same strategy, and he finished sixth. I think that was us today.
“We could’ve been fifth and sixth again as a team. When it is low it is really low, the sport. This was one of those days that I really did not love it.”
Prior to qualifying, Ricciardo’s pace behind the wheel of the MCL35M appeared strong, before he was knocked out in Q2 on Saturday.
After describing the pace drop-off as a ‘mystery’, Ricciardo says overnight analysis has helped him understand where he was missing out.
“I definitely got some clarity on some areas that we kind of missed out on,” he said.
“I would comfortably say 50 per cent, that we are on top of. There is still a bit more to understand but I also think there is a bit with set up as well.
“I’m optimistic going into next week that it will be alright. So I was fairly comfortable and today I put yesterday behind me, and I was very ready for the start. It showed with another strong first lap but as soon as I lost power… anyway, onwards.”
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