Daniel Ricciardo says he’s heading into his Monaco weekend with a “genuine feeling of confidence and possibility”, thrilled to return to a venue that has given him both his most painful defeat and greatest triumph.
Ricciardo conquered a memorable lights-to-flag win in the Principality in 2018 with Red Bull. It was a standout victory win for the Aussie, not only for his dominant display but also for the sweet revenge it embodied.
Two years earlier, Ricciardo was set for glory along the shores of the glitzy Riviera when a pit stop blunder by his Red Bull crews suddenly ruined his efforts and stripped the personable Aussie’s face of his signature smile for weeks on end.
“I'm just glad I got the win, because if the video was just the low of 2016 without a win to follow, it still would hurt me,” Ricciardo admitted, quoted by Speedcafe.
“Eight years later, I think it would still feel very painful.”
As is typically the case in Monaco, where overtaking opportunities are as scarce as a blue moon in July, qualifying on Saturday afternoon will be paramount.
And the resulting pressure only amplifies the emotions – and exhilaration – of delivering a strong flyer notes the Visa Cash App RB charger.
“I experienced those many strong years here with Red Bull, and actually, the year with Renault we had a good quali here, but obviously the McLaren quails were not good,” Ricciardo recalled.
“The highs are high, and the lows are low, because you know that if you qualify bad, the weekend is pretty much done.
“You can only be so optimistic on a track that doesn't really allow overtaking, so that's why quali is such a powerful feeling around here.”
There’s obviously no other track that delivers such an adrenaline rush and sense of accomplishment that comes from pushing a Formula 1 car to its absolute limit in qualifying on the tight and twisty street of Monte Carlo.
“When you do the lap, it's just like this crazy, crazy feeling of awesomeness. It's just fun” Ricciardo added.
“Like Max last year, when he crossed the line after hitting the wall probably three times in the last sector, and he's like, okay, you got pole.
“In his head, he's like ‘Yeah, no one was willing to hit the wall three times. I earned this pole lap.'
“I've certainly visualised some pretty high laps already.”
“I definitely come into the weekend with a genuine feeling of happiness and confidence and possibility.
“There's no reward [on Friday], so I'm just going in with the excitement to drive this track again – and not in a casual way but really, shit, I'm just glad to get out here again.
“I'm sure after the few laps that I've done I'll be like, okay, now let's f**king turn it up a little bit.
“Then you'll see the confidence start to build and the possibility of maybe an awesome lap on Saturday.”
Overall, Ricciardo seems to be in a good headspace for this weekend. He's happy, motivated, and eager to showcase his abilities behind the wheel.
This positive attitude suggests he might be looking to turn things around and deliver a strong performance at the upcoming race.
“I definitely come into the weekend with a genuine feeling of happiness and confidence and possibility,” insisted the eight-time Grand Prix winner.
“There's no reward [on Friday], so I'm just going in with the excitement to drive this track again – and not in a casual way but really, shit, I'm just glad to get out here again.
“I'm sure after the few laps that I've done I'll be like, okay, now let's f**king turn it up a little bit.
“Then you'll see the confidence start to build and the possibility of maybe an awesome lap on Saturday.”
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