Daniel Ricciardo steals Mexican Grand Prix pole from Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton third
DANIEL RICCIARDO produced a stunning final lap to pip Max Verstappen for pole in a thrilling Mexican Grand Prix qualifying session with Lewis Hamilton third.
F1: Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo preview Mexican GP
Verstappen was on course to create history having put in the fastest lap in the first run during Q3.
The young Dutchman would have become the youngest ever pole-sitter had he ended the session top of the standings.
The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas failed to improve on their times.
However, Ricciardo went purple in the second and third sector and put in a lap two hundredths quicker than Verstappen.
The Dutchman was unable to improve upon his first time, but the Red Bulls locked out the front grid for the first time since the US Grand Prix in 2013.
Ricciardo couldn’t hide his delight at getting pole with a thrilling lap.
"I knew it was there somewhere," he said.
"I knew putting the lap together would be crucial as always. Max showed the pace was in the car all weekend.
"I just knew I had to put in a clean lap at the end. Shout out to the team, it's a one-two. It's pretty cool."
Mexican Grand Prix qualifying results
Q1
Out: Sirotkin, Stroll, Magnussen, Vandoorne, Grosjean
Q2
Out: Gasly, Hartley, Perez, Alonso, Ocon,
Q3
Top ten
1. Ricciardo
2. Verstappen
3. Hamilton
4. Vettel
5. Bottas
6. Raikkonen
7. Hulkenberg
8. Sainz
9. Leclerc
10. Ericsson