Ricciardo takes tense Monaco GP victory

Daniel Ricciardo brought back memories of Formula One great Michael Schumacher in his prime yesterday as the Australian nursed a wounded Red Bull to Monaco Grand Prix victory in the team’s 250th race. Winning from pole position for the first time in his career, Ricciardo drove for nearly two thirds of the race — some 50 laps — with a car down on power due to problems that emerged on lap 28.

Ricciardo’s only previous pole had been in Monaco two years ago, when he lost out to Hamilton on strategy and finished runner-up. Schumacher won in Belgium in 1995 with a famously defensive drive on dry tyres in the wet. “I had half the power it seemed and I felt like it was going to come to a stop,” said Ricciardo. “For a few seconds I just wanted to close my eyes and start crying.”

Ricciardo had made a clean start and, controlling the race, looked as much of a nailed-on certainty for victory as ever exists on Monaco’s treacherous metal-fenced streets. And then he reported a loss of power. “OK mate, we can see what’s going on,” his race engineer replied after a pause. “You just need to keep it smooth, keep focused.” “Will it get better?” enquired the Australian. “Negative,” came the reply