Daniel Ricciardo goes rogue, cops official reprimand at Miami GP

Daniel Ricciardo was in the stewards’ bad books as he played by his own rules before qualifying even got underway for the Miami GP.

Daniel Ricciardo is hoping for a strong showing in Miami. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

Sergio Perez topped the times for Red Bull ahead of championship leader Charles Leclerc in Sunday’s final free practice ahead of the inaugural Miami Grand Prix.

In hot, but changing conditions, the 32-year-old Mexican clocked a best lap in one minute and 30.304 seconds to outpace Ferrari’s Leclerc by 0.194, with his Red Bull teammate and defending world champion Max Verstappen third, three-tenths adrift.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso, making light of his 40 years, was fourth-fastest for Alpine ahead of Sebastian Vettel of Aston Martin and Haas’ Mick Schumacher, all of them seven-tenths off the leading pace.

Carlos Sainz was seventh for Ferrari ahead of Kevin Magnussen, Alex Albon of Williams and McLaren driver Lando Norris, but it was a disappointing day for Mercedes after their return to competitive form on Friday.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was only 15th and George Russell, who was quickest in second practice, was 17th — with both appearing to struggle again with ‘porpoising’ in the closing stages of the session and with only two hours to resolve their problems before qualifying.

Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo copped an official reprimand from the stewards for performing “a practice start in a manner contrary to the Race Director’s Event Notes”.

F1 journalist Chris Medland pointed out on Twitter Ricciardo was likely in trouble for going against the note which says: “All drivers carrying out a practice start must do so by pulling as far forward on the grid as possible and, if necessary, should wait for others to carry out a start before getting to a grid position further forward. Under no circumstances should a driver make a practice start if another car is still stationary in front of him on the same side of the grid.”

Daniel Ricciardo was reprimanded by officials. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

Verstappen was soon setting the pace in practice, swapping quickest times with Leclerc, before Esteban Ocon crashed at Turn 14, prompting a red flag as his Alpine smacked the barriers.

The Frenchman came off at the same place where Carlos Sainz had hit the wall on Saturday, a collision that curtailed his day for Ferrari and left him trying to make amends on Sunday.

After Ocon’s incident, with 45 minutes to go, both Mercedes were once again in the top six — Russell in fourth and Hamilton sixth.

“We seem to be quicker, but I am not exactly sure why that is,” Hamilton had explained. “We still have the bouncing, so we haven’t cured it, but little by little we’re improving the car.” Watched by former US First Lady Michelle Obama in the Mercedes garage, the Silver Arrows duo continued to enjoy the sunshine that, they said, played as much of a part in their resurgence as the car updates.

After a 15-minute break to clean up Ocon’s car and debris, the action resumed.

“The race is going to be tough particularly as the tyres are over-heating,” said Hamilton. “And it is very hot all day … I’ve already lost a few kilos! It reminds me of racing in Malaysia with the heat.”

Of the track, Hamilton said it was “bumpy” but “nice to drive”. The challenging circuit was expected to create challenges and errors, particularly when a strong wind arrived with heavy-looking cloud cover. For Russell, it meant less grip and more “porpoising” again.

“The tyres are nowhere,” he reported as Perez and Verstappen took over at the top ahead of Leclerc, the top trio running a full second quicker than the rest with nine minutes remaining before a dramatic late escape for Verstappen who hit a kerb at Turn 13 and slid to a halt.