Kvyat preparing for Sunday charge after qualifying mishap

Daniil Kvyat was left frustrated and out in the cold after an early exit from Q1 which made him the biggest casualty of the first qualifying segment.

The Red Bull charger posted an initial time which, when the elimination cut came into play, left him 18th, a mishap the Russian put on bad timing and on-track congestion.

"Of course it’s frustrating to be P18 but we will learn from what we have done today," lamented Kvyat.

"My first lap was compromised by traffic so I had to give it up, and on the second push lap the tyres lost a lot of performance so it wasn’t enough.

"It’s a new system and someone had to get it wrong and today it was us but we have plenty of things to analyse from our short life in Q1.

Kvyat is relying on team mate Daniel Ricciardo's own qualifying performance to gauge the Red Bull's potential for tomorrow. But a run up the field will not be without risk and implies a safe passage through the first turn after the start.

"I will do my best to go through the field tomorrow, definitely. It’s not going to be enjoyable to start from P18 but it’s a long race and we have to try and squeeze everything out of it and bring some points home.

With regard to tyre allocation, Kvyat views any strategy as a potential unknown at this stage and one which may induce a few surprises.

"The new tire allocation is interesting. It is always better to have softer tires for qualifying so that we can go a bit faster in the corners and show a bit more the potential and speed of the F1 cars, which is good.

"In the race it will be another question answered because it gives a bit more variation of tactics. Let’s see what everyone will go for and maybe there will be two different sides of this tire selection to start, and probably it can bring something exciting at the end of the race."

As it happened: Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix

F1i's Australian Grand Prix preview

2016 F1 season: Team-by-team preview

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

31 mins ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

2 hours ago

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

3 hours ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

4 hours ago

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

4 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

5 hours ago