BUDAPEST - An angry Daniel Ricciardo believes the yellow flags that he slowed for on his final fast qualifying lap cost him a chance of taking pole position for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo races during the free practice session ahead of the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on July 23, 2016
The Australian said he felt he was able to match championship leader Nico Rosberg’s pole position time.
"I was pretty angry on the last lap, as I was up a bit, and I think it would have put me close to pole," said Ricciardo. "I am a little bit disappointed."
The Red Bull driver ended up third on the grid after slowing for the flags when Fernando Alonso spun in his McLaren Honda.
"We would have got close on the last run, with the yellow," he said. "I think it would have been very close to the time Nico set. So I was pretty frustrated on the radio, but anyway, it is what it is."
His Red Bull team boss called for the stewards to investigate Rosberg’s final lap, when he passed through the yellow flags, but no action was taken in the aftermath of the prolonged rain-hit session.
Ricciardo was pleased to have beaten his team-mate, Dutch teenager Max Verstappen.
"You always want to beat your team-mate," he said. "Max has done really well since he came here and I believe we are pushing each other on to another level."