Daniel Ricciardo triumphs in Monaco

At the end of a smooth race, without intervention from the safety car, Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) finally added his name to the Monaco Grand Prix prize list, winning this Sunday ahead of Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). This is Ricciardo's seventh victory in F1.

The Australian took his revenge on the 2016 edition which held out his arms before a disastrous pit stop, but nevertheless had to deal with an RB14 plagued by technical problems, which ultimately did not prevent Ricciardo from triumphing.

The Milton Keynes driver had perfectly mastered the start, despite a visibly better start from Vettel, before controlling the first stint without problems.

Hamilton initiates the only round of pit stops for the leaders on the 12th lap, putting on the ultra-softs. Vettel imitates the world champion on the 16th lap before the leader Ricciardo and Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) then Valtteri Bottas also do not change their tires. Only Bottas uses super-soft tires, a choice which, given the Finn's performance, seems to be the right one.

Ricciardo overcomes mechanical concerns

On the 28th lap, the race seemed to take another turn, since Daniel Ricciardo reports a loss of power, which allows Vettel to close the gap. But the Red Bull Racing driver will overlook this technical problem to continue his journey despite the pressure from the No. 5 Ferrari.

As the ultra-soft tires evolve, victims of strong graining, the gaps evolve in the top 5 still made up of Ricciardo, Vettel, Hamilton, Räikkönen and Bottas, who cannot benefit from his super-soft tires, but change of hierarchy.

The accident between Charles Leclerc (Sauber) and Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso), the Monegasque having lost his brakes at the exit of the tunnel before hitting the rear of the New Zealander's STR13, will cause the intervention of the virtual safety car, but will in no way modify the final result of the race with a victory for Ricciardo ahead of Vettel and Hamilton.

The Australian will confirm on the line that he was forced to drive with only six gears on his box, due to the problem he encountered during the race.

Kimi Räikkönen finished just off the podium ahead of Valtteri Bottas. Nice group shot from the French pilots with Esteban Ocon (Force India) and Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso), 6th and 7th. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) follows in front Max Verstappen (Red Bull), well back from last place on the grid, and Carlos Sainz (renault).

Sergio Pérez (Force India) could have claimed points, before losing big in his pit stop with a problem with the right rear wheel. Even less success for Fernando Alonso (McLaren), forced to abandon following a gearbox problem.

Race ranking

Discover the full report and analysis of the Monaco Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in the Principality, in issue 2167 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.