F1 Japan: Daniel Ricciardo blows up in Suzuka after another power failure

[Hogg]

DANIEL Ricciardo has been left fuming after his Red Bull power woes returned at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Australian was eliminated in Q2 without setting a time after losing power in his C-spec engine. Then, as his mechanics hurriedly worked to resolve the issue, rain started to fall on Suzuka Circuit to give him no chance of progressing into Q3.

A visibly infuriated Ricciardo walked away from his vehicle, shouting at the top of his lungs, before addressing the media with a hoarse voice moments later.

“I just blew out my vocals. I’m pissed,” he told reporters.

“I felt a loss of power out of the last corner and just before I started the lap. I knew it seemed terminal - I just can’t catch a break.

“Qualifying is important here, as always. It’s hard to follow but I’ll try do what I can. I dunno, it’s pretty painful.”

Saturday was the fifth time in seven races Ricciardo has failed to make it through to Q3.

His frustration will likely develop into a greater talking point given his decision to stick with Renault power in 2019.

Red Bull elected to dump Renault as its power supplier next year for Honda. But Ricciardo had reservations over the decision and ultimately decided to leave Red Bull and sign a two-year contract with Renault.

After winning two of 2018’s opening six races, Ricciardo has failed to reach the podium in the last ten.

He has not outqualified teammate Max Verstappen in that period either.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner denied on Friday handing Verstappen preferential treatment over Ricciardo after the Australian announced his departure from the team.

Ricciardo revealed his decision during the mid-season break in August. Since then, he has been forced to retire twice and has finished sixth a further two times.

Verstappen finished all four of those races - twice on the podium.