via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 25, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 25, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
Back in 2018, Daniel Ricciardo stormed to victory in Monte Carlo. But it wasn’t a one-off moment of him shining through on the streets; it seems that the Australian driver is quite adept at street circuits. His first-ever win at Monaco came in 2010 during his time in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. Ricciardo confessed that the only other street circuit he visited was in Macau, six months before his 2010 win.
“Everyone talks about street circuits, especially when you’ve never done it. If you are a few seconds off the pace, in the first practice, panic not. I remember Macau, going back there. Trevor Carlin (Team Owner, Carlin Racing) he literally said, ‘If you’re four seconds from the fastest, that’s a good start’. I was eight tenths from P1 in the first session.
“That motivated me to be like a lord of the streets!” a chuckling Ricciardo said.
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Initially, Ricciardo tried to show off, and he ended up performing exceptionally well in street circuits. In a way, he liked the underdog mentality at these tracks. Even though he was second in the championship at the time, nobody expected him to shine.
Read More: Daniel Ricciardo Reveals the Most Embarrassing Moment in His F1 Career
What else did Daniel Ricciardo say?
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Heading into Monaco, Ricciardo motivated himself into acknowledging his Macau win. So in a theoretical sense, he should be fine. Also considering that there were a few F1 teams watching for future talent, it motivated him even further. It obviously worked, as he went on to win the Formula Renault 3.5 race.
via Getty
IMOLA, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Renault Sport F1 cycles on the track with his team during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on October 30, 2020 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Since then, he has gone from strength to strength and triumphed in 2018 with Red Bull. There was also another occasion where he should have won, but a nightmare pitstop from the team cost him dearly. Now, Daniel Ricciardo heads back to the principality behind the wheel of a face-lifted McLaren MCL35M.
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It would be presumptuous to think that he has a chance to win unless something dramatic happens. However, he can be sure that he will try and deliver a good result for the team, especially since he managed to beat teammate Lando Norris for the first time in Spain.
READ MORE: McLaren Adopting ‘Back at School’ Approach to Help Daniel Ricciardo Get up to Speed
