Daniel Ricciardo blows world away in Mexico Grand Prix qualifying madness

The Formula 1 world has been rocked by a result at the Mexico Grand Prix nobody saw coming — and Daniel Ricciardo fans can’t believe it.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 28: Fourth placed qualifier Daniel Ricciardo. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images.

Daniel Ricciardo will start the Mexico Grand Pix from the second row of the grid after a bonkers day of qualifying drama on Sunday morning.

The Australian came from nowhere to finish fourth in Q3 — having emerged as a shock pole challenger with lightning speed in Q2.

Ricciardo’s P4 came as Ferrari locked out the front row with Charles Leclerc claiming pole position ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz.

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Ricciardo’s run has left Formula 1 commentators scratching their heads. His teammate Yuki Tsunoda finished P15. Most astoundingly, Ricciardo finished ahead of Red Bull driver Sergio Perez.

It is no secret Ricciardo and other drivers are putting pressure on Perez to keep his seat as Max Verstappen’s teammate — and Sunday’s qualifying session is a crushing blow for Perez at his home Grand Prix.

I'm sorry but Checo CANNOT be outqualified by Ricciardo at his home GP.

— Tommo (@TwommoF1) October 28, 2023

Ricciardo P4 in an AlphaTauri
Perez P5 in a Red Bull#F1#MexicoGPpic.twitter.com/a6S2HA75gt

— Autosport (@autosport) October 28, 2023

Albon has outqualified Perez multiple times this season. Ricciardo just outqualified Perez at his home race after an injury break. Checo is driving the top car this season.

At what point do Red Bull realise they need to do something differently with their second drivers? 🤔

— Lucy 🏁 (@LastLapLucy) October 28, 2023

The last time Ricciardo qualified inside the top five, he wen on to win the Grand Prix — in Monza in 2021.

He was the happiest person on the grid after qualifying and couldn’t stop smiling when interviewed on Sky Sports.

When asked if the “Honey Badger” is back, Ricciardo replied: “It does. It was one of those weeks where, and I’m not just saying this because of the result, because in Austin (Texas) I just wanted it to be Friday practice, I just wanted to get back in the car.

“It felt like there were some things left on the table. There were some things also with set-up that we knew we could try.

“From Lap 1 yesterday I felt really confident. And P4 is maybe a little more than we would have thought. But coming into qualy it wasn’t about getting into Q3 it was about how far we can get inside. As a team we have confidence. But with a perfect lap we were thinking P6 or P7, but not quite a P4. It’s cool.

The Honey Badger is back. Photo: Fox Sports.

“There was definitely a confidence chip on my shoulder. I know I haven’t done a lot this year racing-wise. But I feel a lot like my old self. And I feel like I can do well.”

World champion Max Verstappen was third fastest but he was among a number of drivers facing investigation after a possible pit lane violation.

After dominating all three practice sessions, it was a surprise to see the 26-year-old Dutchman unable to stay on top as Ferrari found a surge of additional pace in the final Q3 section of qualifying.

Mercedes is also under investigation.

“What a bizarre qualifying session,” Sky F1 guru Martin Brundle said.

“Talk about a head-scratcher.”

Fourth placed qualifier Daniel Ricciardo. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images.

Daniel Ricciardo at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images.

Even Leclerc was surprised to see his team lock out the front row.

“Two weekends in a row where we did not expect that. I did not expect to be on pole today,” he said.

“We thought we were lacking quite a bit after FP3.

“But for some reason once we put everything together it went well and on the new tyres we gained a lot.

“I’m already focusing on tomorrow’s race because we have had many pole positions but we need to convert it into pole position and it’s going to be very difficult.

“We will just focus on ourselves. We had a pretty good pace all weekend. I’m not sure if it’s enough to challenge for the win but we will try everything in our hands to get it.”

Perez in the second Red Bull was fifth ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Oscar Piastri of McLaren.

George Russell was eighth in the second Mercedes ahead of the Alfa Romeo pair of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu

Mexico Grand Prix qualifying result

1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

3) Max Verstappen, Red Bull

4) Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri

5) Sergio Perez, Red Bull

6) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

7) Oscar Piastri, McLaren

8) George Russell, Mercedes

9) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo

10) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo

Originally published as Daniel Ricciardo blows world away in Mexico Grand Prix qualifying madness