Red-hot Ricciardo takes it to Max

WIZARD OF OZ Daniel Ricciardo put in a magic display to romp to a record-breaking pole position for today’s Monaco Glam Prix.

The Red Bull superstar dominated the final top-10 shootout to complete a clean sweep of every session so far this weekend.

Aussie Ricciardo, 28, starts hot favourite to grab a seventh career victory – and banish the memories of his heartbreaking Monaco defeat in 2016 when his pit crew dropped a clanger as he closed in on the win.

But if everything went to plan yesterday for the cheery Red Bull man it was a nightmare for his team-mate Max Verstappen.

The accident-prone Dutchman, 20, clouted the barrier in the dying minutes of the final free practice session as he needlessly pushed for the fastest time.

His mechanics battled to piece it all together but the damage was too extensive and he was forced to change his gearbox.

He will start from the back of the grid with the irate words of Christian Horner echoing in his ears. “He must stop making these errors. We have a great car and he is a phenomenally fast driver. It is frustrating,” said the Red Bull boss.

In contrast, Ricciardo was faultless and he humbled Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton in the struggling Mercedes with a stunning record lap on the street track.

He clocked a blistering

1min 10.810secs which was two-tenths clear of second-placed Vettel and four ahead of title pacesetter Hammy.

Ricciardo said:

“I am really pumped up. I’ve got some unfinished business here and I want to end up on the top step of the podium. I proved to myself today that I could do just that and finish the job.”

Two-time Monaco winner Hamilton conceded his chances of a 65th career win were slim. He said: “Even with a near perfect lap we were nowhere near quick enough to match the Red Bull and the Ferrari.”

TED MACAULEY