AlphaTauri F1 left struggling in “different league” in Las Vegas

Ricciardo qualified 15th and eventually finished 14th of the 17 cars still running at the chequered flag, having struggled for grip for much of the race.

With his team-mate Yuki Tsunoda retiring, the race was the first time in four events that the Faenza outfit failed to score, having previoulsy narrowed the gap to seventh-placed Williams to just seven points.

“I was coming into the race optimistic,” said Ricciardo when asked about his…