Ricciardo: Monaco is "like taking a tour in a supermarket"
Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo enjoys the Monaco circuit. The Australian has even joined the community of resident drivers in the Principality. He discusses the specifics of this Grand Prix.
Last season, Daniel Ricciardo secured a podium finish just behind the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. On the podium, the Australian displayed a wide smile, as usual.
He is therefore well placed to highlight the necessary qualities for drivers to succeed on this very particular circuit: « From the driver’s perspective, though the teams might see it differently, the best thing about Monaco is that it’s a circuit where the driver has the most influence on the events. Driving an F1 is special, the speed, the power, and the acceleration really blow you away, but here, it’s like trying to do a lap in a supermarket, that’s what’s so cool. »
He philosophically reflects on what the Monaco Grand Prix represents to him: « Monaco is like riding a bicycle around your bathroom. When I was a kid, I used to ride my little bike inside the house. It was a lot of fun, especially when there were obstacles and danger. That’s really what Monaco feels like, with walls around the circuit and bumps on the track that make it a bit more real. The circuit has a lot of character, you can feel it in the car. Mistakes are not allowed, your level of concentration must be at its maximum, and in the end, you’re amazed at how fast your lap is. Doing a lap in Monaco is an achievement. »
For Ricciardo, the Monaco Grand Prix also has an important attractive aspect: « The Monaco Grand Prix is the real deal. There’s so much energy surrounding it: the big boats, the people spending, the cool people, Hollywood is all there. I wouldn’t say that I am in that kind of environment, but it creates a crazy atmosphere over the weekend and that really gets the adrenaline going ». he concludes for the site Crash.net.
