Daniel Ricciardo will need to produce one of his best performances this season to score points at Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a tough qualifying session.
The Australian qualified 12th around the streets circuit in Baku with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris also failing to make the top-10, qualifying 11th.
Ricciardo looked more competitive during Saturday's final practice session before qualifying.
He also looked set to sneak into the top-10 before his flying lap had to be aborted after Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll crashed, stopping the session.
Ricciardo has struggled this season with one points finish and is coming off a forgettable race in Monaco last time out.
The Australian said the notion of feeling more competitive before misfortune ended his qualifying session prematurely was a confidence boost he hoped would help in Sunday's race.
"After such a tough weekend in Monaco, I have to take the positives that we look more competitive here so far, and I feel a little bit more like I'm getting the feeling back that I'm after with the car," he said.
"I found some things with the car that are suiting me, and I've felt like I've been able to lean on it and be a bit more comfortable."
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc will start on pole in Baku for the second consecutive year after a blistering final lap in Saturday's qualifying session.
Leclerc was almost three-tenths quicker than Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who joins him on the front row.
Drivers' championship leader Max Verstappen qualified third, while the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz will start fourth.
