Daniel Ricciardo’s best Qualifying for McLaren proved crucial for Spa race

Daniel Ricciardo’s P4 in Saturday’s Qualifying proved to be crucial for a rain-affected race at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver had his best Qualifying finish for the team, which put him on the second row of the grid. However, the race in its complete form would never eventuate, with rain impacting the ability of the drivers to get out on track.

The race almost got underway after heavy rain initially delayed the start. After the drivers completed a formation lap behind the safety car, race officials issued a red flag. This started a three-hour race window that Formula 1® has to complete a race once it gets underway.

After almost three hours of delay, drivers were back on track and once again behind the safety car. It wasn’t to be with race director Michael Masi red-flagging the race once drivers had completed two laps, which triggered half-points being awarded.

Ricciardo therefore started and finished the race in fourth place and gaining half of the usual 12-points for the position.

“Crazy, crazy day, crazy circumstances. It’s lucky we don’t get these situations very often but it is what it is,” Ricciardo said after the race.

“Sorry to the fans and everyone that stayed out here all day to watch us race, they were awesome. We were really hoping to get a race and obviously, it didn’t happen, but it’s no one’s fault, it’s just the situation and circumstances today.

“We’ve got two races on consecutive weekends now so hopefully that makes up for it. It made quali more important, so I’m happy I managed to earn a good position yesterday.”

That's not how @danielricciardo expected his 200th race to go 😅

Half points were awarded after the #BelgianGP was called off due to wet conditions 💦#F1 pic.twitter.com/XFUwsPVzgE

— F1 Australian Grand Prix (@ausgrandprix) August 29, 2021

Ricciardo moved into eighth place in the Championships, overtaking Pierre Gasly for the position. Lewis Hamilton remains in the lead but had his lead cut down by Max Verstappen to just three points.

Fans don’t have to wait long for the next race, with the Championships moving to Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix.