How Ricciardo eclipsed a Schumacher classic – F1

It was reported post-race that Ricciardo’s MGU-H suffered a failure and cost him almost 25 percent of his engine power. Having been told that Ricciardo was struggling with an issue that would not rectify itself, Vettel got close to the Red Bull but was never within range to attempt an overtaking move, and the Ferrari driver admits he didn’t have enough of a performance advantage to try and pass.

The Finnish driver gave a comical reaction to a series of questions regarding the Monaco GP following the race when quizzed by a reporter, which pretty much summed up what his colleagues were also saying. “I improved a little, but I just couldn’t hang on to it”.

“I was happy with the job I was doing out there”.

Indeed, the Briton, who has criticised the proposed layout for the Miami Grand Prix, offering his services as a consultant in terms of an alternative, suggests that Monaco too needs changes.

The most eye-catching start came from the back of the grid where Max Verstappen, who had started last, made gains immediately as he went past both Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean.

On team radio earlier, the Briton said: “Thank God that’s over. He knows that more than anybody”.

As the victorious Daniel Ricciardo swigged from a champagne bottle on the podium Sunday, the Australian’s joy at winning on the famed winding streets of the Mediterranean principality was clear for all to see.

Ricciardo led the race right from the green lights with Vettel holding on to second, while Hamilton, Raikkonen and Bottas following closely.

Vettel reduced Hamilton’s championship lead from 17 points to 14 in an intriguing championship tussle.

Tyres are a talking point… The display eventually came back, but the tyre problems persisted and it soon became clear that only a mistake from the auto in front would result in an overtaking opportunity.

Ricciardo’s knuckle gripping race of extraordinary tension began, not from his pole position start and race to the first corner, but on lap 28 of the 78-lap race. “We don’t mind if Red Bull are quick here, because there are more tracks like Barcelona [where Hamilton won last week] and we’ll try to capitalize on those ones”. “Just the race tomorrow and then we will celebrate”.

Hamilton, who himself remains in negotiations with Mercedes over his new deal, added: “He should definitely have a contract on the table but I was talking to him and I don’t know if he has his options planned out. If it is, no problem”.

Despite repeatedly warning his team that wasn’t convinced the tyres would last to the end, he finally brought the auto home in third, 17 seconds behind race victor Daniel Ricciardo.