WHEN even Formula 1’s renowned master of overtaking - the inimitable Honey Badger - can’t pass cars, there is clearly something wrong. Sixth place in the Singapore Grand Prix wasn’t the race Daniel Ricciardo wanted, but it was the race he expected. The Australian finished the Singapore Grand Prix where he started - not for a want of trying. After troubles with engine driveability in qualifying, Red Bull brought Ricciardo in later than all ahead of him in hopes his fresher tyres would make the difference at the end. Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 3 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply. RESULTS: Click here for full results from Singapore GP REPORT: Hamilton holds off Verstappen to take pivotal victory LEADERS’ FURY: ‘What the f*** are they doing’ “Qualifying is so important here and the race was really lost yesterday,” he said. “It’s just so hard, not only to overtake but to follow now. “I had better pace, particularly at the end to catch Kimi and Valtteri but I couldn’t do anything with it. “You get close, just not close enough. You lose the tyres; they’re really sensitive. Ricciardo zeroed in on Raikkonen in the closing stages. Source: AFP “I was trying to play a little bit with Kimi at the end. I saw he was on the back of Valtteri so I would push up to him, try to see if I could do something, I couldn’t, back off, try again. “Just trying to do something because sitting behind wasn’t much to do. “And because it’s so narrow, if they defend a little bit there’s really no chance. “I got close at Turn 13 on the last lap, but it wasn’t close enough. Street circuits are my favourite tracks to drive but they can also be frustrating.” “Hoped for a better race but that was the race we expected.” It’s the first time Ricciardo has finished off the podium at Marina Bay while driving for Red Bull, and not how he wanted to sign off with them from a circuit where the team has traditionally been in the hunt for victory. “I think we need everything to fall into place,” Ricciardo said of 2018. “Otherwise it seems any little variable and we seem to struggle a lot this year.”<doc-sep>Daniel Ricciardo was left frustrated after only qualifying sixth for the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday, being at a loss for an answer as to why his pace dipped in the final Q3 shootout. Ricciardo set the fastest time in Q1 and was competitive again in Q2, appearing to put himself in the fight for pole position, only to then finish Q3 almost a second behind pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton down in P6. Singapore #6 - 5 Talking Points Singapore #6 - 5 Talking Points" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mccLg7-awFw?wmode=opaque&controls=0&rel=0" name="Singapore #6 - 5 Talking Points" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Singapore #6 - 5 Talking Points Teammate Max Verstappen managed to secure second place on the grid despite dealing with an engine issue throughout the session, going six-tenths of a second faster than Ricciardo. While Ricciardo said he had a minor engine problem through the session, he stressed it had not been the cause of his dip in pace, for which he still had no definitive answer. “To be honest, we had a little bit [of engine issues] but it wasn’t the reason why we dropped so much pace in qualifying. Right now I honestly don’t have an answer,” Ricciardo said. “We were there, we made changes after P3 this morning. As a driver you know immediately if a change works and in Q1 it felt like it was there and we were like: ‘Sweet, we are going to be in this thing.’ “It seemed like everyone else could run with it, through Q2, Q3, find a second if not more and we just stayed as a stalemate. “I don’t know why we were the only ones who couldn’t find the time right now.” Ricciardo was sceptical of his race chances on pace alone given the difficulty of overtaking in Singapore, believing his best chance instead lies with tyre strategy. "Right now, I am struggling to let qualifying go. It’s still too soon,” Ricciardo said. “Even with good pace here, it’s so tricky to overtake. We will try and do something. “All we can hope for if the cars in front, their tyres fall away and they’re forced then to do a two-stop. “Otherwise, if everyone does a one-stop, hope for someone to run on the track like they did in 2015 I guess.”<doc-sep>Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo remains happy with his decision to leave Red Bull Racing for Renault next year, despite being a favourite for the win in Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix. The 29-year-old, who finished in first and fourth respectively in Friday’s two 90-minute practice sessions, blindsided the sport last month in announcing that he was off to the French marque from 2019 – instead of re-signing with the global energy drinks brand, as was expected. And it’s a shock switch he remains happy with, especially with his next 2-years sorted at the pinnacle of motorsport. “I feel good about it,” Ricciardo said. “Honestly, once I made the announcement, I did feel the weight off my shoulders. I think the weight was nothing to do, obviously, with being at Red Bull. “But it was more just, ok, I know what I’m doing, not only for next year but the next two years and it was a bigger relief than I thought it would be. I’m excited for a change, really. I’m 30 next year and I feel like it’s time to move on.” But while both Red Bulls finished in the top-five in both practice sessions at the stunning made-for-Instagram Marina Bay Street Circuit with the expectation of fighting for pole tomorrow in qualifying, Renault are yet to crack a podium place since it returned as a constructor in 2016. Daniel Ricciardo has just a few races left under Red Bull’s watch. Pic: Getty And while the Australian said he will be motivated by incremental progress at the French marque, he also hinted at the frustrations experienced at Red Bull Racing from being unable to fight for a title since he joined in 2014. “I’m certainly aware of the current position of Renault, and where they are at, but I believe I’ve already come to terms with that,” Ricciardo said. “I think I’ve obviously gone through it in my mind, seeing the progress will be motivating in itself. And I think the thing with Red Bull, I came here after (the team scored) four world titles (with Sebastian Vettel, 2010-2013). “So naturally the expectation every year has been, at least in my mind, it’s like we’re going to win this year or we’re going to try and win. Story continues “You seem to be more disappointed because you’re always trying to achieve something which up until now we haven’t achieved since I’ve been here. “So coming into Renault I’m not expecting to win next year so I think already seeing progress will be quite rewarding. I want to win, don’t get me wrong!” Daniel Ricciardo is among the favourites for Sunday’s race. Pic: Getty Ricciardo arrived in Singapore buoyant, despite four retirements in six races, with his Red Bull car suited to the tight and twisty street track – and his mum and dad, Grace and Joe, flying in from Perth to join him. And the Ricciardo family’s experiences in Singapore couldn’t be more different, with fans treated to F1’s version of the Super Bowl with racing under lights and international artists on stage. For the drivers, however, Singapore is by far the sport’s toughest event, with cockpit temperatures soaring to 60 degrees Celsius, and drivers having to endure 4.7G under braking and in corners. Conditions that will mean they will lose 2-3kg in fluid across the almost 2-hour race. Ricciardo is ready for the onslaught, having maxed out his pre-event training for nine straight days in the gym – and he has the mental advantage to match. “Knowing that when I see everyone on the grid on Sunday wearing ice vests and I’m there smiling without one, it’s already a little game, which gives me the confidence. I like it, I really do,” he said. – Stewart Bell (@StewartBellF1)<doc-sep>Daniel Ricciardo has predicted how the 2019 season will pan out When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top F1 stories again Hamilton and Vettel are locked in a fierce battle for the top prize this year, which the Brit is leading by 30 points. The pair are preparing for the next episode of their rivalry at the Singapore Grand Prix this afternoon. But for Ricciardo, his attention has already switched to next season after agreeing to swap Red Bull for Renault at the end of the campaign. The Australian shocked the Formula One world when he announced his departure from Christian Horner’s team - but he claims it was because Ferrari and Mercedes are streets ahead of their rivals.<doc-sep>
Formula One reveals a first look at the concepts of the cars that will take to the grid in 2021 and beyond. (0:35) Daniel Ricciardo was unable to explain why he could only manage sixth on the grid for the Singapore Grand Prix. Ricciardo couldn't replicate the performance of Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, who will start tomorrow's race from second place. The Australian was fastest in Q1 and looked to be in the fight for pole position but fell away as qualifying progressed, ending Q3 0.6s behind his teammate. "To be honest we had a little bit [engine power drop-outs] but it wasn't the reason why we dropped so much pace in qualifying,'' Ricciardo told Sky Sports. "Right now I honestly don't have an answer. We were there, we made changes after P3 this morning. As a driver, you know immediately if a change works and in Q1 it felt like it was there and we were like 'sweet, we are going to be in this thing.' "It seemed like everyone else could run with it. Through Q2, Q3, find a second if not more and we just stayed as a stalemate and I don't know why we were the only ones who couldn't find the time right now.'' Ricciardo has finished on the podium at each Singapore Grand Prix while driving for Red Bull. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images Red Bull showed impressive race pace in Friday practice, but Ricciardo believes he will only be able to move up the grid through race strategy rather than sheer performance due to the difficulties in overtaking at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. "Look, even with good pace here it's so tricky to overtake. Look, we will try and do something. All we can hope for if the cars in front, their tyres fall away and they're forced then to do a two-stop, otherwise, if everyone does a one-stop, hope for someone to run on the track like they did in 2015 I guess.''