Daniel Ricciardo was overcome by a sense of “rage” after only qualifying 13th on the grid for the Mexican Grand Prix.
12 months after his frustration at Red Bull boiled over at Suzuka, the Australian let out another roar of anger in parc ferme as a difficult week for Renault continued on Saturday.
Both he and teammate Nico Hulkenberg had been sidelined by hydraulic issues in final practice, and Ricciardo had hoped to repay his mechanics with a Q3 appearance.
“I think that’s where a lot of my rage came from after the lap,” Ricciardo said.
“I wanted to do better, I wanted to do more. I think the team did an awesome job again to get us out of a situation.
“I don’t think it’s something we asked for again but unfortunately, it’s how it’s been going lately.
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“I don’t want to say ‘poor us’ – it is what it is, but all the boys, that late night last night and this morning, getting both cars ready for quali… I just wish I could’ve done more and I think that’s the frustration,” he conceded.
“I wish I could be the hero today and bring everyone up.
“When I say ‘I wish’, I also believe I can, that’s, I think, where the rage comes from in myself.
“Then again I probably sometimes expect too much from myself, but there is a part of me which does believe I can do it, so that’s where… it comes from. And I hate losing.”
Renault may still have a decent chance of points as they start with free tyre choice for a race where strategy is crucial.
But whether it’s enough to undo any damage done by their disqualification from Japan this week, we’ll have to wait and see.