Daniel Ricciardo wins in Monaco

Australia’s next F1 driver in waiting Daniel Ricciardo has capped off a dominant weekend at Monaco by claiming victory in the Formula 3.5 Series event.

The 21-year-old Western Australian was never headed in any of the practice sessions and started the race from pole position. Ricciardo then led the race from start to finish and enjoyed his second win at Monaco in front of the F1 crowds.

Speaking after the race Ricciardo said, “I was maybe a little bit more relaxed this time, maybe because it was my second time starting from pole in Monaco. The race didn’t feel as long this year either, I was able to enjoy it a little bit more, even though it was fairly close right up until the end. The car felt good; I felt as though I had good pace and I wasn’t that bothered by the safety cars and I controlled the restarts well.

“It’s been a perfect weekend for me. To have the opportunity in the F1 car on Thursday was amazing. To finish the weekend off with a win is just incredible. It will be a weekend that’s stays with me for a long time!”

[Pic: World Series by Renault]

Ricciardo rules in Monaco

Daniel Ricciardo dominated proceedings in round seven of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series this weekend, having topped every session around the glamorous Principality of Monaco this weekend. The 21 year-old Australian was quickest in free practice, stormed to pole position on Saturday and took a lights to flag victory today to take his second consecutive Monaco victory. Racing in front of the F1 teams, Daniel added to the celebrations of his Red Bull colleagues who took victory in the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix this afternoon.

Daniel put himself in the best possible position to take his second race win in Monaco; taking pole position in Saturday’s qualifying session. The Red Bull Junior left it until the final minutes to show his hand, storming to his second consecutive Monaco pole.

Lining up at the head of the grid in front of expectant F1 crowds and the F1 teams, Daniel showed little evidence of nerves and made the perfect getaway to lead the field into the first corner. Carlin’s Robert Wickens was his nearest rival in second but Daniel drove flawlessly to keep his rival behind with a comfortable gap back to the rest of the field.

A safety car on lap 17 bunched up the field and deleted any advantage Daniel had built up, but the Toro Rosso test driver judged the restart perfectly to maintain the lead as racing recommenced. With the Monaco walls claiming several victims, it wasn’t long before the safety car again appeared on track, but once again Daniel showed no nerves and controlled the restart to hold onto the lead.

Despite pressure from Wickens right up to the chequered flag, Daniel had the race within his control and stormed to a second stunning victory in Monaco.

A delighted Daniel said, “I was maybe a little bit more relaxed this time, maybe because it was my second time starting from pole in Monaco. The race didn’t feel as long this year either, I was able to enjoy it a little bit more, even though it was fairly close right up until the end. The car felt good; I felt as though I had good pace and I wasn’t that bothered by the safety cars and I controlled the restarts well. I think Robert [Wickens] was a bit quicker than me after the second safety car; he seemed to be right with me for a couple of laps, but then I picked up the pace later in the run. I just kept my head down and kept focussed.

“It’s been a perfect weekend for me. To have the opportunity in the F1 car on Thursday was amazing. To finish the weekend off with a win is just incredible. It will be a weekend that’s stays with me for a long time!”