F1 News: Daniel Ricciardo Explains Slow Pace At Austin GP - "Race Rust"

The injury does not seem to be causing the problem.

Speaking of the Sprint race results, AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo said his injury never came in the way of his performance but, it was the "race rust" that caused him to qualify 11th and finish 12th in the Sprint race in Austin.

Ricciardo suffered a broken left wrist in an incident during the Dutch GP qualifying that led him to undergo surgery and physiotherapy. Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson took to the wheel of the AT04 F1 car during the Australian driver's absence. 

The United States Grand Prix Sprint race being his first race since the injury, the 34-year-old driver blamed the race rust for his performance, as opposed to the general opinion that his injury might have come in the way. 

- Mercedes-AMG

Speaking to the media about his performance and how he's feeling about his return, Ricciardo explained:

“I am feeling alright.

"I think that was a big thing also, taking enough time off that I come back and I am not… oh yeah I had a bad result because my hand hurts or something - that’s wasting everyone’s time.

"I feel like I gave it the right amount of time to come back and be confident with it. The hand hasn’t affected me this weekend so it’s been good. I think today was better. I think the race… I hate saying this because I am very experienced but this year I am not very experienced so there was a little bit of race rust, a few little decisions on track which I was like ‘oh I should know better’. Look, it’s a little bit of learning for tomorrow. 

"Not too concerned. It was very nice to be back out there. From yesterday to the qualifying this morning I made a really good step so I was happy with that. I apologised for another P11 because the running joke with the team is that someone’s qualifying P11. 

"Yuki yesterday, me today. Q3 is obviously the target for us - it’s normally a big achievement but we always seem to be a little short. I was pretty happy with the lap.”

Talking about his encounter with Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll where race rust left him frustrated, he concluded:

“I think it was Stroll because he got me into Turn 12 which I was kicking myself for so that was one of these I would say race rust where I was a bit frustrated with myself for letting one go. 

"I got him back a few laps later. I liked that move - that one made me feel better about myself.”