‘Stunning’: Daniel Ricciardo blows F1 world away at Miami Grand Prix

Australian Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo has delivered a scintillating display that left those watching on in sheer disbelief.

Daniel Ricciardo is back. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Daniel Ricciardo has just delivered his best result so far this season.

The Visa CashApp RB driver scorched his way around the Miami circuit as he showed why he’s still a force to be reckoned with.

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After having the 11th fastest time during practice, the Aussie switched it on during qualifying for Sunday’s sprint race.

The 34-year-old advanced into the third session and left several rivals from bigger teams in his wake.

Ricciardo’s flying lap was quick enough to secure him a second row start for the sprint race, finishing just behind Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc narrowly pipped the Aussie.

Ricciardo edged out fellow Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz while outshining fellow countryman Oscar Piastri and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

“Kiki kikiki hey hey hey,” Ricciardo said over the team radio after being told he’d qualified fourth.

“Yeah wow. Awesome, awesome. It’s good. It’s good. We belong towards the front, so, happy for everyone.”

Ricciardo comfortably out-qualified his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, making it three straight qualifying results in his favour.

Daniel Ricciardo is back. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Ricciardo spoke to Sky Sports after the session and said the result was beyond even what he thought was possible.

“I’ve been able to do it before, so I know it’s in me. Did I expect to do a second row start? Probably not that good,” Riccardo said.

“It was wild.

“I’m very proud of what I did today ... things are definitely turning around.”

The display from Ricciardo left the Formula 1 world blown away and comes after the Aussie had faced intense scrutiny over his seat.

“What a performance from Daniel Ricciardo, he’s now showing us what he’s capable of,” Martin Brundle said after qualifying.

Jenson Button on Sky Sports said: “That was a great performance and that’s just going to elevate your confidence in yourself and the car you’re driving.”

F1 presenter Matt Gallagher wrote: “Stunning performance from Daniel Ricciardo. 4th on the grid in a VCARB is an unreal effort.”

Visa CashApp RB wrote: “Get in there Daniel. P4 for the sprint let’s goooooooooo.”

One user wrote: “P4 DANIEL RICCIARDO MY GOAT.

He never left 😉#F1Sprint#MiamiGPpic.twitter.com/Ux5XCUvpYw

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2024

A Daniel Ricciardo appreciation post 👍 pic.twitter.com/3AWaYYizR5

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 3, 2024

While Ricciardo stole the show, Max Verstappen claimed pole position once again with the Red Bull maestro left gobsmacked after a less than perfect final lap.

After being told by Christian Horner he’d secured first place on the grid, Verstappen simply responded: “LOL what happened to the others. That was terrible. I’ll take it.”

Miami Sprint Race starting grid

Front row: Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc

Second row: Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo

Third row: Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri

Fourth row: Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso

Fifth row: Lando Norris, Nico Hulkenberg

Sixth row: George Russell, Lewis Hamilton

Seventh row: Esteban Ocon, Kevin Magnussen

Eighth row: Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly

Ninth row: Zhou Guanyu, Valtteri Bottas

Tenth row: Logan Sargeant, Alex Albon

The Miami Sprint gets underway on Sunday morning at 2am AEST.

Originally published as ‘Stunning’: Daniel Ricciardo blows F1 world away at Miami Grand Prix