Few people embrace the challenge of Monaco more than Daniel Ricciardo and the Australian is ready to do it all again this weekend at Red Bull’s 250th race in Formula 1.
The ‘Honey Badger’, who now lives in the Principality, scored his only pole position in the sport to date in Monte Carlo in 2016 with a lap of the infamous street circuit that remains simply breathtaking today.
On a rain-hit Sunday though, a pit-stop blunder squandered his chance at victory and last year he had to settle for third behind the two Ferraris but while the shine of the ‘jewel in the crown’ may have dimmed for some in recent years, that is absolutely not the case for Ricciardo.
“Monaco is my favourite race of the year because it creates the most adrenaline and excitement,” he said.
“The circuit is insane; I don’t want to say that we shouldn’t race cars on it because we should and it’s the best thing ever, but it’s crazy to think we race around the streets so close to the walls like we do.
“I just love the whole atmosphere, there’s a lot of intensity and the risk and reward is the best of the year. Hopefully, I’ll also get some redemption.”
Given the lack of need for horsepower around the iconic layout, Red Bull is always a team you expect to do well in Monte Carlo with the 28-year-old a huge fan of the technical challenge.
“Tabac and the Swimming Pool, I love all of that. Turns 12, 13 and 14, over the kerbs and pretty much the end of the second sector and start of the third is my favourite,” he stated.
“The encouraging thing from Barcelona is that we were quick in the third sector and that is probably the closest to Monaco, so hopefully that shows what we can do.”
As mentioned this weekend marks an important milestone of 250 races for Red Bull since joining the grid in 2005.
Team boss Christian Horner has been at the helm throughout and he reflected on their achievements ahead of this weekend.
“It’s incredible that Monaco will be our 250th Grand Prix,” he said. “To think in that time we have won 56 races, we’ve achieved 149 podiums so far, and it’s all gone by in such a flash that I’m looking forward to the next 250.”
