Daniel Ricciardo has had a tough outing in Texas after finishing 16th in the United States Grand Prix as Max Verstappen’s 13th win of the season secured Red Bull the Constructors’ Championship.
 
Throughout the weekend, Ricciardo struggled for pace with his best session coming in Friday’s second practice where he posted the third fastest time.
 
However, that’s as good as it got for the West Australians as he qualified in a lowly 17th before being promoted to 15th post-qualifying.
 
Inconsistent lap times and a lack of pace prevented Ricciardo from charging his way through the field as he eventually crossed the line in 16th – 10 places behind McLaren teammate, Lando Norris.
 
“Honestly it’s 2022, it’s been just so far off the pace that I simply can’t lean on it, can’t push, can’t get the time out of it,” Ricciardo said post-race.
 
“Also the inconsistency of the lap times, it shows that it can really be a struggle but to have such a big margin again remains a mystery. I love Texas, I love Austin, but that race itself for me was not enjoyable.
 
“When you think it can’t get worse it does. I don’t know how I’m continuing to continue because painful is an understatement.”
 
While the Aussie languished towards the back of the field, his former Red Bull teammate and current World Champion Max Verstappen overcame a poor pit stop to seal the win over Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton.
 
Stuck stationary for 11 seconds as his pit crew struggled with the front left tyre, Verstappen eventually came out of the pits on lap 36 behind Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the Ferrari driver having climbed from 12th to third.
 
With Hamilton more than six seconds ahead, the Dutchman had his work cut out for him, but just as he has all year, Verstappen chased both drivers down to take out the win and equal Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel’s record of 13 wins in a single season.
 
The victory, which secured the Constructors’ Championship for the first time since 2013, was dedicated to Red Bull’s owner Dietrich Mateschitz, who died the day before.
 
"It's a very difficult weekend for us. This one is dedicated to Dietrich," Verstappen said.
 
"The only thing we could do today is win, and even though — after the pit stop — it was not looking great, I gave it everything out there and pushed to the limit to come back."
 
The FIA Formula 1 World Championship season continues this weekend with th the Mexican Grand Prix on 31 October.