Aussie F1 star Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he is relieved to have made it to Q3 in one of the most challenging seasons of his career, as he prepares for his final drive in a McLaren and quite possibly Formula One altogether. Ricciardo qualified 10th for the last race of the season, but will start at 13th because of a collision with Kevin Magnussen in Brazil. Hamilton, who earlier escaped a penalty for a red-flag infringement in final practice at the sport’s season-ending race, qualified only fifth. Verstappen blitzed the field to finish two tenths of a second clear of Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz third and fourth respectively. The German driver, 35, claimed his last championship nine years ago during a dominant period for him and Red Bull. Vettel’s former Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo could also be taking part in his last F1 race after he was deemed surplus to requirements by McLaren. Verstappen was jeered by a number of fans as he spoke in the moments after taking his seventh pole of the year and 20th of his career. Verstappen and Perez clashed at the last race after the former refused to concede sixth position on the final lap.

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