The Australian was on his first flying lap in Q3 when he lost the rear of the Red Bull at Turn 14, skidding backwards through the sand trap and nudging the barrier.

The mistake cost him any chance of fighting for a spot in the top half of the top 10 at his home race, Ricciardo admitting that it was his first insight into how hard the new-spec cars can bite.

"It happened quickly, I could feel rear was on the edge, it was starting to come around," he said. "I tried to catch it but it came around.

"As the result of more downforce and more grip, when you lose it it is a lot more violent and aggressive – so it caught me out.

"There is still a bit to learn and don't tend to find myself in the barriers much, so it's a bit of an odd sight to see me in to the barrier. The cars have more grip, which makes them stick to the track more – but when it goes wrong they bite a bit harder.

"They are new beasts. I am positive about it – I like the cars."

Focus on moving forward

Ricciardo also apologised to the Red Bull crew for creating more Saturday night work for them, and said he hopes to be able to reward them with a beer or two if he can move forward during the race tomorrow.

"I created a bit more work for myself and unfortunately for the mechanics," he added.

"I feel for them, I know they have had a long weekend, tough getting cars prepared.

"We will turn it into a bit of aggro tomorrow and hopefully buy them a few stubbies after a better result than today."