Daniel Ricciardo’s challenging start to the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season has continued after recording a DNF in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix overnight.
 
Having started the second round of the year in P12 behind teammate Lando Norris, Ricciardo lost a position early before dropping down towards the back of the field on lap nine when he was the first to pit. 
 
However, as the race went on, the decision to pit early seemed to pay off as the West Australian slowly worked his way up the field and was into a points paying position by lap 36.
 
While Ricciardo managed to break into the top 10 as a result of Fernando Alonso’s engine overheating, the 33-year-old then suffered a similar fate one lap later – his McLaren coming to a halt on the main straight right at the pit lane entry. 
 
In what was a frustrating end to his race, Ricciardo remained positive about the team’s progress and was looking forward to a return to Australia. 
 
“I lost drive so it could be a number of things, maybe drive shaft if I was to guess. But I’m no mechanic so don’t take my word for it,” Ricciardo said.
 
“Obviously we could have had double points which is pretty awesome from where we were a week ago. It was looking alright. There are positives to take from the weekend for sure. We still have a way to go but certainly some progress, which is nice.
 
“For now, we’ll keep chipping away. We can’t promise amazing results yet but we’ll keep at it and I’m sure better things are on the horizon.
 
“The characteristics of this circuit seemed to help us and although we weren’t setting the timesheets alight, we had a bit more confidence in the car. Looking at Melbourne and the changes we made, I think it is going to be quite flowing and hopefully that suits us.”
 
Although he was unable to finish the race, Ricciardo got to witness the entertaining battle for the outright win between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc from the stands. 
 
With Leclerc leading the way for most of the race after replacing polesitter Sergio Pérez after the first safety car period, Verstappen constantly piled on the pressure and had multiple attempts at passing the Ferrari driver, but couldn’t make a move stick.
 
Eventually the reigning champion snatched the lead with just three laps to go and held it to the chequered flag – bouncing back perfectly from a disappointing season opener in Bahrain and getting his title defence campaign underway.
 
For the second consecutive week, there were two Ferraris on the podium as Carlos Sainz crossed the line in third place ahead of Perez. 
 
The championship now turns it focus to Melbourne for the first Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix since 2019 on 7-10 April at Albert Park.