Ricciardo creates a surprise in Shanghai

Daniel Ricciardo was the first surprised by his result in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix. The pilot Red Bull was the closest to Nico Rosberg by finishing half a second from pole and will thus start from second position ahead of the Ferrari by Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel.

“We didn’t get off to the best start in Q1. We did not seem able to get close to the first places in Q3 with the perfectible balance of the car, but we gained a bit of pace in Q3”, confided Daniel Ricciardo in the paddock of the Shanghai circuit.

“It’s difficult to exploit the potential of the super soft tires on one lap. We progressed with the engineers by adjusting the pressures throughout the session. I didn't expect to find myself second on the grid, it's really great.", added the Australian.

This satisfaction was shared by Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner. “I’m really amazed, I don’t understand how we could achieve this.”, admitted the Briton on Sky Sports. “It’s an incredible performance. He was getting faster and faster... Rosberg is on a different strategy, but we are present. We know we are vulnerable, but we will start from the front row for the first time this season and give our all. »

Daniil Kvyat took sixth position on the grid between the Williams de Valtteri Bottas and the Force India of Sergio Pérez.