Ricciardo excited to return to scene of first F1 win

Daniel Ricciardo says travelling to the Canadian Grand Prix venue is “always special”, with the Red Bull ace securing his maiden Formula One win at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve back in 2014.

Despite Mercedes already being the class of the field at that time, the Australian took advantage of Lewis Hamilton’s brake issues and Nico Rosberg’s MGU-K problem to move into the lead on the penultimate lap.

Ricciardo hopes to leave his Monaco heartbreak well and truly behind, though the 26-year-old remembers enduring a torrid afternoon in Montreal last year.

“I love Canada, I love Montreal, the city’s great and I really enjoy the circuit,” he said. “I like the people a lot, it’s a very friendly city – it’s easily one of my top five races.

“It’s a place where you can really muscle the car around the chicanes which is fun. I love the race – my first win in Canada will always be special so I’m keen to get back there.

“Unfortunately last year was probably my worst race of the year but I hope it will be a lot better this year.”

Ricciardo is also happy to see similarities between the Montreal event and his home grand prix in Australia.

“The city is a lot like Melbourne in a way; there are plenty of things to do, there’s a lot of culture, it’s very European, and the people are super friendly.

“I also love the local cuisine. The Poutine is so good! I had it on the Sunday night after the race last year. Lobster Poutine actually, which was gourmet and it was so damn good.”

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