Daniel Ricciardo knocked out in Q2 after 0.003-second heartbreak at Japanese Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo just can’t catch a break, with the Aussie missing out on Q3 at the Japanese Grand Prix by the barest of margins.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Daniel Ricciardo just can’t catch a break.

The Australian F1 driver has missed out on Q3 at the Japanese Grand Prix by 0.003 seconds, knocked out in Q2 by the barest of margins after finishing narrowly behind four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo will therefore start Sunday’s race at Suzuka Circuit at 11th on the grid, one spot behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who later placed 10th in Q3.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

“F***, I don’t know where it got away,” Ricciardo said on the team radio after being informed of the result.

Ricciardo is currently without a seat on the F1 grid next season after McLaren axed the Perth native with 12 months remaining on his contract, replacing him with reigning F2 champion Oscar Piastri.

Last weekend, the 33-year-old finished fifth at the Singapore Grand Prix, his best result of the 2022 season to date.

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo. Photo by Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP

Red Bull champion Max Verstappen secured pole position, narrowly bettering Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in Q3.

However, the Dutch driver is under investigation from race stewards after an incident with Norris in the final qualifying session.

“It was incredible to drive here again,” Verstappen said after the session.

“I lost a part of the duct in the final lap but nevertheless the lap was good enough.

“We need to see what happens with the weather tomorrow, but I’m excited.”

“I was driving slow but my tyres were cold,” he continued, explaining the incident with Norris.

“Lando was trying to pass me and had to avoid me but luckily nothing happened.

“If he was just a bit more respectful then you create a problem by trying to get round.”

Mexican veteran Sergio Perez will join Sainz on the second row after qualifying fourth.

BREAKING: My heart watching Ricciardo miss Q3 by 0.003 seconds 😭#F1

— JAKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) October 8, 2022

Starting grid for 2022 Japanese Grand Prix

Max Verstappen

Charles Leclerc

Carlos Sainz

Sergio Perez

Esteban Ocon

Lewis Hamilton

Fernando Alonso

George Russell

Sebastian Vettel

Lando Norris

Daniel Ricciardo

Valtteri Bottas

Yuki Tsunoda

Zhou Guanyu

Mick Schumacher

Alex Albon

Pierre Gasly

James Magnussen

Lance Stroll

Nicholas Latifi