Gutter ditch to blame for Ricciardo's race exit

  • Published on 17 Mar 2019 10:11
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Daniel Ricciardo says an unsighted gutter ditch ultimately put an end to his race debut for Renault.

The local favourite in Melbourne lost his front wing on the run down into Turn 1 after running over the gutter while running side-by-side with Sergio Perez's Racing Point.

Ricciardo pitted at the end of the first lap for a new front wing, but was soon a lap down. After the midway point, Renault opted to retire the 29-year-old from the race.

"I just put two wheels in [the grass], and then there's a massive gutter ditch there which I don't feel is probably on many other places,” Ricciardo said.

“Sergio's start wasn't great. I had a bit of a run. He made like a little flinch, but when it happens that quick, you see him move, I moved, and then he straightens up, and the next thing I’m on the grass.

“You never know how much he's going to move. Because he was still in front at the time, you just kind of follow his initial reaction, and that second one, I just put my wheel on the grass.

“When I touched the grass, I wasn't actually too concerned. I thought I would just drive through it. I felt like I probably still had enough momentum to stay alongside him. But then that ditch was there, and that was it.”

Ricciardo says that he is physically and mentally drained following the long week building up to the race, as he attempted to please everyone. 

“I’m just drained, just trying to please everyone this week and I don't look after myself. I'll change it for next year,” he said. “I feel like it’s hard to get things going well here and I also feel like that I was pretty unlucky.

“It's tough. This week is a tough one because we're always pushing uphill, and you can never do enough, but I feel we did more than enough. I don't know. I don't want to blame that, but I feel flat for more reasons than one.”

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Sadtomato

    Posts: 48

    I know Albert Park is a public area at other times but you woud think that the FIA would inspect the track before the races. Maybe they were distracted by the Charlie Whiting death. Had a car hit that ditch with all four wheels it could have been a major accident. Two whels on the gress happens all the time at race tracks so pull your finger out FIA!

    • + 0
    • Mar 17 2019 - 19:46
    • mansell0050

      Posts: 5

      That section has been there for years. The drivers know about it as they walk the track every year. He should not have been there and should not have tried to make it 4 wide by going inside of Perez. I am an Aussie and huge DR fan, however I feel even he knows he just stuffed up..... I don't think we need to go changing the tracks so they can drive off of it.

      • + 0
      • Mar 18 2019 - 01:39

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 00:59

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 00:59

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Visa Cash App RB
  • Points 1,061
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar