The Monaco Grand Prix, for all its glitz and glamour, rarely produces exciting races, and 2018 was no different. But lost amid this was Daniel Ricciardo’s sensational drive: for nearly three-fourths of the race, he nursed a broken power unit that left him 25% down on power; he had to manage with six gears, not the usual eight.
While Monaco’s nature — a tight street circuit where top speed doesn’t matter — allowed him to defend better, his seventh GP win was by far his finest, most dominant performance. His previous victories were more about being ready when the leaders hit trouble or each other, maximising everything his car had with some sharp driving.
But around Monaco, he topped all three practice sessions before taking pole and led every lap of the race. He probably would have nailed the fastest lap too if not for the power unit issue. With his second win of the season, he sits third in the standings behind Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, who have also had two victories.
More importantly, what the win did was show Red Bull that he had turned the tide against teammate Max Verstappen, who over the last year and a half seemed to have got the measure of the Australian.
Ricciardo, nicknamed ‘Honey Badger’ after the innocent-looking but ferocious animal, is one of the most lovable characters on the F1 grid with his wide smile and goofy character. Be it his Shoey celebrations or funny quips on the team radio or in press conferences, the man from Perth can liven up a place.
But for all his personality and talent, he hasn’t appeared to be the centre of his team’s focus. Ever since Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2016, winning on his first attempt at that year’s Spanish GP, the young and exciting Dutchman clearly established himself as the team’s main man, even signing a long-term deal last year.
In 2016, with Verstappen still finding his feet at Red Bull, Ricciardo generally out-qualified him but the races were much more even, with Verstappen finishing not far behind despite turning out for Toro Rosso in the first four races.
Last year, a confident, settled Verstappen got the better of Ricciardo in qualifying, 13-7, and would have finished higher in the standings if not for reliability issues; indeed, Verstappen led 5-2 in the races both finished.
So it was vital for Ricciardo to pull things back this year, and the 28-year-old has stepped up his game decisively. Verstappen, meanwhile, has been binning it at every race and stacking up costly repair bills instead of points.
Beneath the goofy exterior, Ricciardo has always had prodigious pace. When Mark Webber announced his retirement in 2013, Red Bull seriously considered signing Kimi Raikkonen before Ricciardo was asked to audition for the role at a young driver test in Silverstone in 2013.
Impressed by his times, reportedly not far off Vettel’s, Red Bull decided to punt on its in-house talent. Come 2014, with new rules, Ricciardo handsomely got the better of Vettel, adapting to the new hybrid cars more adeptly than the four-time champion.
Though it was close in qualifying, 10-9 in favour of the Aussie, he finished with 238 points to Vettel’s 167 in the Grands Prix. More importantly, in races when both drivers finished, Ricciardo was ahead 11-3.
Apart from his pace, the Australian is one of the best at wheel-to-wheel battles and at being brave and decisive on the brakes when making his overtaking moves.
His efforts stood out in the Chinese GP when he quickly moved up the grid to score his first win of the season even as Verstappen, who was ahead, was crashing into Hamilton and Vettel, losing a race that was his to begin with.
And Monaco showed the value he can bring to Red Bull as it strives to get back to winning ways. The measured approach of Ricciardo clinched the team its second race while Verstappen, who was slightly quicker, fluffed it in practice and compromised his weekend to finish ninth.
It remains to be seen whether Red Bull’s Renault power unit, which lacks grunt compared to Ferrari and Mercedes, can sustain a title challenge this year, but Ricciardo could play a key role in races like Silverstone, Hungary, and Singapore, which should suit Red Bull. This could have a major say in how the title fight evolves.
Crucially for Ricciardo, who will become a free agent this year with possible openings at Ferrari and Mercedes, the Monaco win has put him in a great negotiating position as he heads to the Canadian GP — the scene of his first victory in 2014.
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THE RICCIARDO FILE
Born: July 1, 1989 (Perth, Australia)
Nationality: Australian
Nickname: Honey Badger
Teams: Red Bull Racing (current), Scuderia Toro Rosso (2012-2013), HRT (2011)
Debut: 2011 British GP
Grands Prix entered: 135
Podiums: 29
Points: 888
World Championships: 0
Wins: 7
Poles: 2
Best known for: The Shoey. In 2016, Ricciardo introduced F1 to the act of drinking celebratory champagne from his racing boot. The celebration was inspired by the Mad Hueys, a group of Aussies who travel the world fishing, surfing, and having a good time. F1 promptly trademarked the term ‘Shoey’ to sell merchandise.