Ricciardo Wins Formula One Grand Prix in Monaco

Australian Daniel Ricciardo overcame a mid-race power loss to win the Monaco Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday, putting on a show of outstanding composure and defensive driving to fend off Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari.

The Red Bull driver’s win was all the more impressive after an engine problem left him with 25% less power for the final 50 laps of the 78-lap race, AP reported.

Vettel shaved a few points off championship leader Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who finished third. Kimi Raikkonen was fourth for Ferrari ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and Force India’s Esteban Ocon. It was Ricciardo’s second win of the season after the Chinese GP last month and seventh of his career, pushing him up to third in the title race.

Ricciardo thought he’d won in Monaco two years ago, where he led from pole position only to be undone by a botched pit stop by his team which left him furious.

There was no denying him this time. “Two years in the making and I finally feel redemption has arrived,” Ricciardo said.

Ricciardo appeared emotional, even tearful, as he sat in his car moments after crossing the finish line after 78 laps on the winding 3.34-kilometre street circuit.

Ricciardo’s Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen finished ninth after starting from 20th and last place having crashed prior to Saturday’s qualifying.

Near the end, the Dutchman was on fresher tyres and making them count as he zoomed past Renault’s Carlos Sainz Jr with a typically brazen overtaking move.