Daniel Ricciardo: “Pure rage” after Monaco 2016

A start from pole position, a start to the race disrupted by rain but controlled before this famous disastrous pit stop for Red Bull Racing at the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix.

When it comes time to put on the slick tires, the Austrian team is simply not ready to welcome Daniel Ricciardo, until the super-soft tires are installed on the car seemed like an eternity.

A sufficient period of time for Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) takes control of the race to race towards victory. Second but disappointed, Daniel Ricciardo recalled this Thursday on social networks that he took a long time to digest this failure.

“Even four years later, I remember every detail of that day, it’s like a video in my head, explains the Renault driver F1 team. I remember approaching the turn before the tunnel after this stop, and being so angry.

It wouldn't have bothered me to have a mechanical problem causing a retirement. I didn't want to talk to anyone afterwards and I didn't want any outpouring of sympathy... It was pure rage.

I remember being on the podium next to Lewis, who had won a race that I controlled. I didn't want to be there. I had a moment of clarity later in the media box where I thought that if finishing second in Monaco was the worst day of my life, then I needed to wake up.

That’s when the anger turned into disappointment. […] This is what made the race two years later so tasty. »

Because the failure of 2016 was swept away in 2018 by a first victory in the Principality, for the Australian's last campaign with Red Bull. A test in the form of redemption.

“In Monaco, if you keep the lead from pole at the first corner, then you lose, the race is in your hands,” continues Ricciardo. The stress level in 2018 was different from what happened in 2016. It was relief because nothing took away the victory. »

Daniel Ricciardo also believes that the two races which made him the most proud remain Suzuka 2012 and Germany in 2014. The first remains a strong moment for the Renault driver having contained Michael Schumacher for 10th place and received congratulations from the seven-time world champion for his defense.

The second remains an important memory for his on-track confrontation with Fernando Alonso, a fight which made him win " the respect " from the Spanish.