Daniel Ricciardo ‘happy to hit’ F1 photographers as McLaren star fumes after near miss

“I don’t know where I start… but I gained some [places]. I can see the pole-sitter, that’s a nice feeling, been a while since I’ve been towards that end of the grid and nice to do it back here, of course, where last year there were some good memories. I am really filled with optimism.”

McLaren will start the race on the second row with Norris in third and Ricciardo fourth due to a number of penalties behind handed out to drivers who qualified ahead, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

The eight-time race winner is unlikely to see a repeat of his heroics at Monza last year, having led home an incredible 1-2 for McLaren after Verstappen and Hamilton had come together at Turn 1.

It remains Ricciardo’s only victory for the Papaya since he signed in 2021 and he is unlikely to add to his tally with the team as he prepares to leave at the end of the season. Oscar Piastri has been signed up to drive for the team in 2023, with Ricciardo’s future still yet to be determined.