Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia reacts as he walks down pit lane after crashing out of the qualifying session during the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia on March 25, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

In fact, the Australian driver almost didn't start. Ricciardo's day started badly and kept getting worse as he got a grid penalty, missed the start after a mechanical failure in the warmup, and then retired after 28 laps.

He was among seven drivers who retired during the race. Former champion Fernando Alonso continued to struggle in his McLaren, retiring on the 50th of 57 laps, while 18-year-old Canadian rookie Lance Stroll was handed a grid penalty after needing an unscheduled gearbox change after a crash in practice and was wayward in his 40 laps on debut for Williams.