Daniel Ricciardo just can't catch a break, the Red Bull driver missing out on an opportunity to make the Q3 cut for the fifth time in seven races following another engine malfunction.
The Aussie's car was hit by a sudden loss of power in Q2, its driver finding his way to the pits but a rapid check by the Red Bull crew confirmed Ricciardo's immediate demise from the session, although the team did not believe any vital component's of the Renault unit were at risk of being replaced.
Disappointed would be understating the driver's feelings as he extricated himself from his car and exited his team's garage. Walking down the pitlane, a fuming Ricciardo let go a loud yell of frustration under his helmet.
"I just blew out my vocals. I'm so pissed…" Ricciardo said after qualifying.
"As soon as I came through the last chicane to start my fast lap I immediately felt that something was wrong.
"I just didn’t have full power and I could hear the turbo or something wasn’t healthy.
"I came to the pits and we tried to fix it but I think it’s something terminal. Then it started raining, I think if we had got out again and it was raining and I couldn’t get a lap in, then it could have been even more painful."
Ricciardo feels particularly thwarted by his misfortunes given the fact that his motivation to finish his stint with Red Bull on a high is intact.
"I just can’t catch a break at the moment and I’m pretty fed up with it.
"I’m doing everything I can and applying myself the best way that I know how to, but it’s not working so hopefully it turns around soon.
"It makes me angry because if it was on me and I was slacking off then it would be different, but I still want to do the best I can for Red Bull until the end of the year and every race is important."
Despite the set-back, there's still a race to be run on Sunday, although Ricciardo's low start, normally from P15, offers just dim prospects.
"Qualifying is important here, like always, but it's hard to follow and whatever but I'll do what I can," he added.
"I don't know, it's pretty painful at the moment."
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…
Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…
Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas,…
Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…