Daniel Ricciardo will start the Turkish GP from fifth after a strong qualifying performance in treacherous conditions.

Heavy rain wreaked havoc on a track that had already been compared to an ice rink during practice runs, with the extra slipperiness making for an interesting grid.

Lewis Hamilton qualified in sixth — his lowest starting position of the year — while teammate Valtteri Bottas was even further behind.

Max Verstappen was fastest in practice, but slipped to second when Canadian Lance Stroll pipped the Red Bull superstar for the top spot.

After struggling in practice, Ricciardo performed well in the tricky conditions, which he said had "taken a few years off our lives".

"I'm just glad I made it," he told Sky News.

"Probably the best way to describe it, I did a driving course on a skid pan and it kicks you out and it never bites, there's never any grip and honestly that's what it felt like today.

On a strange day, F1 organisers said they would investigate after cars were allowed on track before a recovery crane had returned to safety, while a dog briefly ran on the track.

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Stroll said his qualifying success could be put down to experience driving in slick conditions back home in Canada.

"I grew up driving on ice, in my parking lot back home and drifting around, sliding around," Stroll said.

"It's got to be in my bones somewhere, I guess."

Verstappen was particularly disappointed to let his grasp on pole position slip.

"I'm upset because the whole weekend I've been comfortable and I feel terrible now," he said.

"Clearly something is not working for us with that tire, and yes it was extremely disappointing when you're first in every session.

"It's not what I like, but it can't be all the time positive — and then saying that, you're still second — but I always want the best, I always try to do better."

ABC/Reuters