07/09/2019
NEWS STORY
Renault F1 Team produced a stunning qualifying display for the Heineken Italian Grand Prix with Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hülkenberg locking out the third row of the grid for tomorrow's race.
In a confusing ending, both drivers were amongst a number of cars to miss their final Q3 laps after failing to reach the chequered flag in time.
Daniel's fifth place effort and Nico's sixth on their first Q3 runs, proved enough to remain in those slots at the end.
Nico impressively progressed through Q1 in second place overall with Daniel closely behind in fifth. Later, Daniel advanced from Q2 to Q3 in fourth with Nico eighth.
Nico Hülkenberg: "I'm happy with the result, but it could have been a little better. It was okay, I lost some rhythm in Q2 with a lock-up at Turn 1, so I had to reset myself. The ending was clearly a bit extreme but the tow has a big impact here and it's worth a couple of tenths, which you can't make up in the corners. That's why we had some games at the end. It was peculiar with all the cars bunched up. Our pace was clearly very strong today and we have to back it up with points on Sunday."
Daniel Ricciardo: "It was a great qualifying for the team, locking out the third row. We executed everything well today, and the result is a good reward for that. I had a good Q3 lap, and we've been a solid top six all weekend. Just like in Spa, we've been strong since the summer break and that's pleasing. No one wanted to be first on the road at the end, everyone was side by side. It was a consequence of no one wanting to give their tow to everyone else. Still, fifth on the grid is really solid."
Alan Permane, Sporting Director: "We are very pleased with the result of our qualifying session. As in Spa, our car is working well here with fifth and sixth position a decent reward for our pace. Tomorrow is forecast to be a bit cooler and unsettled but we still expect a dry race; we'll be ready for every condition. Our race pace from Friday's practice session was good so we are looking forward to a strong race tomorrow and a decent points haul for both cars."