Daniel Ricciardo banished the bad memories of 2016 as he held on to claim a first-ever win at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver missed out on victory two years ago in Monaco but despite an engine problem for 50 laps the Australian stayed ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel to claim a pole-to-chequered-flag win. Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton finished in third.
Ricciardo was restricted to just six of eight gears round the Monte Carlo street circuit, F1.com says, but nothing was going to stop him on a week where he dominated practice and qualifying.
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Speaking after the race to Sky Sports, Ricciardo said: “I think I can show emotion today than yesterday. This is two years in the making so I finally feel like the redemption has arrived.
“We had problems. We had a lot to deal with during the race. I felt a loss of power and I thought the race was done. I got home just using six gears.
“Thanks to the team. We got it back. I’m stoked. There were a few doubts that came in mid-race but… we won Monaco. It feels good!”
Ricciardo has now won two races in the 2018 F1 season - the same as Hamilton and Vettel. World champion Hamilton leads Vettel by 14 points in the F1 drivers’ standings and third-placed Ricciardo is 38 points behind the leader.
How Twitter reacted to Ricciardo’s victory in Monaco:
“What an effort”.
“A sensational drive”.
An impressive win with half an engine.
Ricciardo takes the chequered flag.
Stunning result for the Australian.
