Lewis Hamilton will no doubt be disappointed with the third place he achieved today in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, but the defending world champion was still grateful for being able to run at all in Q3 following an engine trouble which delayed his run.
Like his main rivals, the Mercedes driver gradually ramped up his efforts during the first two segments of qualifying, in preparation for the crucial top 10 shootout.
But just after he left the garage, Hamilton warned his team over the radio of a sudden loss of power. The Silver Arrows was subsequently pushed back to its pit for further analysis . The Mercedes - whose problem was traced to a fuel pressure issue - was back out with a few minutes remaining.
Hamilto, who appeared disrupted and to very much on back foot after his reliability woe, aborted his first attempt and on his second he succeeded in placing himself on the inside of the second row, behind Ricciardo's Red Bull and team mate Nico Rosberg.
"Tomorrow was a crucial day. I don't expect much from tomorrow," said an unhappy Hamilton.
"I don't know what to say. The good thing was that I did get out to do a lap at least, it wasn't as bad as some of the races have been in that respect, with the engine problems.
I'm grateful to be up in third, obviously pole was there for the taking. I will do what l can in the race to salvage what I can from today's result."
Sunday's forecast in Monaco for rain in the morning and overcast in the afternoon seems to offer the Mercedes driver his only glimmer of hope for tomorrow.
"If the car keeps going l will fight as hard as I can. Hopefully it rains - that will be pretty amazing."
Hamilton was also doubtful of any advantage his ultra-soft tyres may provide at the start compared to Ricciardo's Super-soft shod Red Bull.
"The tyres are very much the same so I don't think it's going to make a bit difference. Unfortunately these tyres are so hard, it's going to be an easy one-stop race for everyone, so there's nothing you can do with strategy."
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