Motor racing-Ricciardo's hopes of happy Australia return ruined after lap time deleted

In Melbourne, Daniel Ricciardo’s hopes of a successful comeback to Albert Park were dashed on Saturday when the RB driver failed to advance out of the first session of qualifying. His fastest lap in Q1 was invalidated for exceeding track limits at turn five, relegating him to 18th place out of 19 cars on the grid for Sunday’s race. This lap, which would have secured him a spot in Q2, was set too late in the session for a replacement to be posted.

This setback at his home grand prix is reminiscent of ten years ago when Ricciardo finished second for Red Bull but was later disqualified for a fuel infringement. Sharing his frustration, Ricciardo expressed disappointment in missing out on another opportunity.

“I was pushing hard to stay on track while trying to find the missing pace we have been lacking all weekend,” Ricciardo commented. “I felt like that lap was my best shot, so it’s definitely a tough blow.”

This marks the third race this season where Ricciardo has been outperformed in qualifying by his less experienced teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Their competition could potentially lead to securing a coveted seat at Red Bull for the 2025 season, especially with Sergio Perez’s contract expiring next year. Currently, Tsunoda holds the upper hand after qualifying eighth behind Red Bull’s pole-sitter Max Verstappen.

Fans are now pinning their hopes on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri to break the Australian podium drought in Melbourne. Piastri qualified sixth, trailing two spots behind teammate Lando Norris, and lamented a subpar performance in Q3 filled with errors. Despite hoping that the soft tire setup at Albert Park could offer a strategic advantage, Piastri acknowledged the challenge of overtaking the Red Bulls and Ferraris ahead of him on the starting grid.

“It’s a mixed bag of emotions for me today,” Piastri reflected. “I believe there might have been more potential to tap into, so it’s a bit disappointing.”

As the anticipation builds for Sunday’s race, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, and Piastri face varying degrees of pressure to deliver strong performances. The Australian fans are yearning for a local hero to shine on the circuit, with Piastri emerging as the best hope for a podium finish. The battle within the McLaren team and Red Bull’s potential driver lineup for the upcoming seasons add further intrigue to the narrative of the Australian Grand Prix.

With the spotlight now firmly on the drivers and their teams, the stage is set for a thrilling race at Albert Park. As the drivers navigate the challenges of the circuit and strive to capitalize on strategic opportunities, the outcome remains uncertain. Will Ricciardo bounce back from his qualifying setback? Can Tsunoda cement his place as a contender for a Red Bull seat? And will Piastri fulfill the dreams of Australian fans by achieving a podium finish in Melbourne?

The answers to these questions will unfold on Sunday, shaping the narrative of the Australian Grand Prix and setting the tone for the rest of the Formula 1 season. Stay tuned for the action-packed race day as these talented drivers battle it out on the track for glory and redemption.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)