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Racing driver Ricciardo denies Verstappen record pole in Mexico

Racing driver Ricciardo denies Verstappen record pole in Mexico
October 28, 2018
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Australian Daniel Ricciardo thwarted Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen’s hopes of becoming Formula One’s youngest ever pole-sitter with a lightning qualifying lap at the Mexican Grand Prix. Last year’s race winner Verstappen, 21, had dominated all three practice sessions and was on provisional pole before the final flying laps at the high-altitude Hermanos Rodriguez circuit. If second place on the starting grid left the Dutch youngster feeling sore, the front row lockout was still Red Bull’s first since the US Grand Prix of 2013. Mercedes’ championship leader Lewis Hamilton, who need only finish seventh on Sunday to secure his fifth title, will line up in third place with Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel qualifying fourth. Vettel, 70 points behind Hamilton with two races remaining after Mexico, must win the race to have any chance of denying Hamilton. “I knew it was there somewhere. We hadn’t had the cleanest run through practice and I just knew putting the lap together would be crucial as always,” said Ricciardo, who whooped in delight as he realised what he had done. “I knew the pace was in the car, Max showed that all weekend from start to finish.