Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel believes Daniel Ricciardo was still quicker throughout the Monaco Grand Prix despite suffering power unit issues for the majority of the race.
Ricciardo's Renault powered Red Bull lost the MGU-K in the early stages of the race, this meant a loss of 160 horsepower from hybrid part of the power unit.
As the race wore on, despite the Australian's problems, Vettel was unable to push up to the back of the Red Bull in front of him due to the heavy graining he was suffering on his ultrasoft tyres.
"I saw the issue and was told also by radio, so that’s why I started to push," said Vettel. But as soon as I got too close or closer, I struggled to stay there, whenever I got in range, especially the exit of the tunnel, I was too far off to try and get close.
"I had a couple of times DRS, but obviously the track makes it quite difficult, which is a bonus if you are ahead. With all the problems he had, he was still quicker than us.
In the late stages of the race, Vettel lost several seconds behind Ricciardo as the virtual safety car came to an end.
The four-time World Champion admitted his very old ultrasoft tyres struggled to get back up to temperature and was reluctant to take risks, especially after getting stuck behind the sole remaining McLaren of Stoffel Vandoorne, who exited the pits in front of him.
"I had the McLaren which was just ahead in Safety Car line and after that on the restart I think it took me a while to get away," added the German.
"I was a bit surprised. I had poor warm-up, my tyres was very old. I struggled for one lap, I also didn’t want to take a stupid risk.
"But I was surprised I lost so much time. It was a bit of a shame as it would have been nice to finish the race behind Daniel and keep the pressure up, but it wasn’t to be.
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