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Formula 1 Chinese GP

Horner hails Ricciardo's "incredible" front row grid spot

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has labelled Daniel Ricciardo’s qualifying performance for the Chinese Grand Prix as “incredible”.

Charles Bradley

Charles Bradley

Edited: Apr 16, 2016, 12:38 PM

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Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12

Polesitter Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 Team, second place Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing, third place Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing

Ricciardo was half a second off poleman Nico Rosberg, but scored Red Bull's first front-row start since Singapore last year by outpacing both Ferraris.

"Were on earth did that come from? I'm quite shocked actually," said Horner. "To qualifying on the front row here is quite an incredible performance.

"He just got quicker and quicker, and just put everything together. The wind picked up at the last part of qualifying there, and he just nailed it.

"Rosberg's picked a different tyre strategy, but we're in the race from there. We know we're vulnerable, but we've got to see the start lights for the first time in a while front the front row – and we'll be giving it everything."

Ricciardo himself admitted he did not know where the time had come from.

"Not sure! Second is pretty awesome, we didn't expect this," he said.

"I think today is encouraging. If we can have this on one lap we should be pretty good.

"Hopefully we have got a race with Ferrari. If we can battle with podium that will be awesome.

"I got a front row here a couple of years ago but that was in wet, so to get a front row in dry condition is awesome and testament to how far we have come since the end of 2015.

"It feels good to be back up here. I know only qualifying, and I am really happy."

 

 

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Previous article Chinese GP: Rosberg beats Ricciardo to pole, Hamilton to start from the back

Next article Frustrated Alonso says McLaren had enough speed for Q3

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