Ricciardo quick in Monaco
DANIEL Ricciardo lapped Monaco’s metal-fenced streets in record time as Red Bull dominated practice for Formula One’s most glamorous grand prix.
The 28-year-old Australian was fastest in the opening running on Thursday before setting a record-breaking lap of 1:11.841 minutes later in the day to cement Red Bull’s status as pre-race favourites. That compared to Kimi Raikkonen’s 2017 pole position of 1:12.178 for Ferrari, the previous fastest around the Mediterranean principality’s unforgiving streets and harbourside.
Ricciardo finished both sessions ahead of his Dutch teammate Max Verstappen, with Sebastian Vettel third in the order for Ferrari.
Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, who holds a 17-point championship lead over Vettel ahead of tomorrow’s race, was fourth for Mercedes, more than half a second adrift of Ricciardo’s blistering time.
“I’m glad that was the fastest lap that anyone has ever done as it felt so quick. I think on Saturday we will go even quicker again,” said Ricciardo.