Daniel Ricciardo says this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix reminds him of the corresponding event two years ago, after he stormed to pole position.
Ricciardo led the way through all three practice sessions and controlled the three-stage qualifying hour as he comfortably beat his rivals to top spot.
It was the second pole position of Ricciardo’s career and it came two years after his maiden effort.
“It’s been good all weekend, every session we’ve been quickest,” he said.
“It’s a bit like 2016; we came into this race knowing we had a legitimate chance to fight for pole.
“Just knowing how the car has performed in the first few races and knowing if it got hooked up around here then for sure we knew we could be here.
“We didn’t really change much on the car all weekend, it was kind of one of those pretty smooth ones and we could just build up to it and obviously find my rhythm and have some fun.
“I love this place and it’s obviously a pleasure to drive in a 1m10s, it’s a lot of fun. It’s been awesome, the boys have done a good job.”
Ricciardo had been close with team-mate Max Verstappen through practice but the Dutchman took himself out of contention after crashing in practice, ruling him out of qualifying.
Ricciardo outlined that Verstappen’s non-participation did not change his approach.
“Obviously you’re aware of your team-mate’s speed and everyone’s speed,” he said.
“But for me, from the start of the weekend, I guess a battle with myself, wanting to be the quickest from the start and trying to reach my personal goals for the weekend.
“Obviously, yeah, we were close throughout all the sessions but yeah, I don’t know if it’s… it could be a psychological battle if an opponent sees it that way.
“For me personally I just wanted to see my name on top and just try to keep that momentum going from the start.”
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