Ricciardo says Red Bull unfair after Verstappen squabble

Ricciardo says Red Bull unfair after Verstappen squabble

Joas van Wingerden

Saturday 30 June 2018 16:26

Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen spent qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix at loggerheads over the Red Bull drivers' desire for a tow from their team-mate. Both drivers quarrelled with their race engineers over radio, while Ricciardo branded the team unfair afterwards.

Ricciardo was sent out ahead of Verstappen for all three of Red Bull's runs in Q3, but began to slow down on his second, despite the team's orders for him to speed up.

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Verstappen was also vexed when the team told him to overtake Ricciardo, meaning he would not receive a tow on Austria's power-hungry circuit.

With Renault's power unit upgrade failing to put Red Bull in the mix for pole, the pair ultimately qualified fifth and seventh, with the Haas of Romain Grosjean ousting Ricciardo from the third row.

The usually smiley Australian was stone-faced afterwards.

"I'm not too impressed to be honest," Ricciardo told Sky Sports.

"We had three runs and I was just punching a hole for everyone. We could have been more fair."

When Ricciardo's comments were put to his team-mate Verstappen hit back, saying he had been given similar orders - which he followed - at the French Grand Prix last week.

"We always agree before the weekend who is going in front," Verstappen said to Sky Sports.

"This was his race where he is going in front, it is very simple. At Paul Ricard I was in front so that is how it goes. We always try to have the best possible position."