Flash: Daniel Ricciardo takes Mexican Pole
Mexico City, 27 Oct 2018: The smiling assassin, Australian Daniel Ricciardo took the pole position with a last-minute burst that edged out teammate Max Verstappen by 26 thousands of a second in the Mexican GP, the 19th round of the FIA Formula One World Championship at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez here in Mexico City.
“I knew the pace was in the car, Max showed that all weekend. Once I heard I got pole I was – I’ve got to relax now, I’m tripping major nut-sack right now,” said the Red Bull driver, Ricciardo.
In Q2, both Esteban Ocon, and Sergio Perez of Racing Point Force India were eliminated along with Fernando Alonso, B Hartley and Pierce Gasly. Earlier, Grosjean, Vandoorne, Magnussen, Stroll and Sirotkin were eliminated in Q1.
Defending champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes needs to finish 7th or higher this weekend to win the title regardless of where championship rival Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel finishes.
It is after five years the two Red Bulls are starting on the first row after their last 1-2 way back in 2013 US Grand Prix. Vettel qualified P4, ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen on P6.
