‘Confused’ Ricciardo Struggling to Accept Huge Gap to Norris in Qualifying

Daniel Ricciardo cannot seem to find his rhythm at this season. After another disappointing Saturday, Ricciardo finished P12 in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Many thought that the Monaco Grand Prix would bring a change in his fortunes this season. However, he finished more than a second behind his teammate, Lando Norris. The Australian summed up his emotions after a disappointing Saturday in the Principality.

Daniel Ricciardo “refuses to believe” he’s a second slower than Norris

Coming to a new team is never easy. At the moment, it is far from easy if your name is Daniel Ricciardo. A past race winner in Monaco, no one expected the Australian to get eliminated after Q2 on Saturday. However, Norris has got the better of Ricciardo across all races so far.

Ricciardo‘s current run of form puzzles him greatly. However, the part that confuses him the most is the gap between him and Norris.

“I’m probably confused than frustrated,” said Ricciardo. “Obviously I’ve been around here with Max [Verstappen as teammate] and I’m sure Lando’s fast, but I refuse to believe he’s a second quicker around here, and I don’t mean to say that against him.”

READ MORE: Daniel Ricciardo Names His Top 3 F1 Drivers From The 2020 Season

Ricciardo believes he can’t use under-confidence as an excuse this time

At the Spanish Grand Prix, Ricciardo admitted he was still trying to feel confident in the car. However, the Honey Badger admits that he cannot use the same reason for his pace in Monaco.

The 31-year-old said, “I’d like to say I’m just not confident or still need to learn the car but not a second, not around here.

“But just all weekend, even crossing the line a lot of laps I felt good, I was like that’s a good lap. And I think at one point I was 1.2s slower than say what Lando had just done, so no answers at the moment.”

With the Monaco Grand Prix already underway, Ricciardo will hope to make some good moves to move up the grid. Can a points-finish today help the “king of the late brakers” get his confidence back this season?