Ricciardo: Monaco is 'intimidating'

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Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo has described Monaco as one of the most 'intimidating' circuits on the Formula 1 calendar.

"Monaco is definitely my favourite track to drive," said the Australian this week. "It is so tight and intimidating.

"From the outside some of the sequences look impossible to go through at the speeds we do.

"Once you are in the car it’s an amazing feeling," he added, describing it as addictive.

"If you kiss the wall it actually makes you want to do it again as opposed to scaring you.

Ricciardo is hoping for better fortunes this time around than last year. He started from pole position, but ended up coming second to Lewis Hamilton after a mistake by the team during the pit stops.

Ricciardo aware of Red Bull's deficit despite podium finish

“Last year was disappointing for me as I felt we definitely had the win on the cards," he said. He was adamant that the disappointment wouldn't play on his mind next week.

"I am old enough and mature enough now to put that behind me. I'm able to look forward to racing there, and take back what I felt I lost last year.

"If I do win the trophy it is staying with me," he added, insisting that he would accept no replicas if he pulled it off.

Ricciardo currently lives in the principality, but says that familiarity with the venue doesn't lessen the challenge it presents.

"Being able to sleep in your own bed and complain about the noise is a treat," he said. "In theory I could walk to work while we are in Monaco. It is still a bit of a way but it could be done

"Luckily for me though we get boats to the Energy Station which is a nice change.

"The whole spectacle of the weekend just makes it something unique and special."
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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.