Liam Lawson has voiced frustration over a timing error that did not allow him to complete a second lap during the first segment of sprint qualifying.
The New Zealander is due to start Saturday’s race from 17th on the grid as he failed to emerge from the drop zone at the end of SQ1.
Lawson entered the session on the back of finishing 11th in the sole practice session and sought to place himself in a position where he could contend for points on Saturday.
However, having got placed in a queue of cars on his out lap, he remained stuck behind a rival car on the run to the line, jeopardising his final attempt.
“We didn’t do a second lap,” Lawson said. “The first lap was OK, the car has been very quick today.
“We came out of the garage for the second run, everyone was slowing down at the pit exit. I came across the line right behind Gasly or Colapinto.
“We just messed up the timing completely. I don’t really know how. It basically meant we didn’t do a second lap.”
Team-mate Isack Hadjar was able to show the potential of the car as he secured a starting position inside the top 10.
Lawson suggested Racing Bulls was not to blame for the early exit, instead pointing his finger at his fellow drivers.
“I don’t even think we left it quite late, it’s just sometimes people leave big gaps and also with cars doing cool down [laps] on track, you just get caught up in it,” he said.
“We just got really bad timing. I’m sure we’ll review it, we didn’t need to take the risk.
“The car has been very quick, it’s frustrating.”