Ricciardo on the thrills and challenges of the “beautiful and intense” F1 Monaco GP

Daniel Ricciardo expressed his excitement about returning to Monaco as a full-time F1 driver after missing out on the on-track action last year.

Ricciardo has experienced both the highs and lows of racing on the Monte Carlo street circuit, overcoming the disappointment of a lost win in 2016 to secure victory from pole two years later in a gutsy drive that saw him nurse an ailing car to finish line ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo’s more recent Monaco outings have been less memorable—or perhaps memorable for all the wrong reasons, as he struggled during his time at McLaren. In 2021, he was lapped by then-teammate Lando Norris en route to a podium finish as Ricciardo crossed the line in 12th. The following year he finished 13th before eventually losing his McLaren seat in August 2022.

He’ll now be looking for a redemption drive around the principality as RB has solidified itself as one of the strongest midfield teams this season.

Asked whether Monaco still produces the same thrill it used to given the abundance of street tracks and glamorous locations on the current calendar—the most recent such addition being Las Vegas—Ricciardo emphasised that the Crown Jewel of Formula 1 remains unmatched.