Smiles, frustration, and expectations: reactions from the Top 3 qualifiers in Monaco!
A Daniel Ricciardo as happy as a prince, a Sebastian Vettel pleased to be on the front row, and a resigned Lewis Hamilton—this is the feeling of the top three men from this Monaco qualifying session.
Leading in Q1 and a new track record in Q2 and in Q3: no doubt, Daniel Ricciardo is clearly the man to beat this weekend. He can proudly flash his biggest smile in the press conference: « we have been the fastest in all sessions. Just the race tomorrow and we can celebrate. I’m thirsty for victory. I’ve done everything I could so far, let’s finish the job tomorrow. I’m very motivated. We haven’t changed the car much over the weekend. I had a lot of fun, I love this circuit and I love driving here! »
Might be relieved not to have to fight with his teammate tomorrow, the Australian prefers to avoid this visibly awkward question for him and will stick to a no comment of circumstance…
Sebastian Vettel couldn’t do anything against the formidable Red Bull of his former teammate Ricciardo. However, he managed to secure the front row, ahead of his main rival in the championship and current leader, Lewis Hamilton. « Monaco is a very long race, anything can happen. If it starts to rain, even if forecasts don’t predict it, the slightest mistake can be fatal. We will try to overtake Daniel at the start and have a good race. Today, Daniel was the best and the fastest. We tried to give it our all, but he was unbeatable and he deserves this pole. It has been a good weekend so far. We have improved the car, but the Red Bulls have been very fast yesterday and this morning. Despite everything, we are close, which is quite good. »
Monaco Grand Prix – “The main thing is that we have potential”. #MonacoGP #ForzaFerrari https://t.co/cybHuPzdkE
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) 26 mai /f1/actualite/22720-monaco-qualifications-ricciardo-decroche-la-pole-tant-convoitee.html
Poorly engaged since the beginning of the weekend, Lewis Hamilton nevertheless manages to make it into the Top 3 of this qualification. His strategy of starting on ultra-softs having not worked, the Briton changed his approach but without managing to fight for pole position. As usual when he is not first, the reigning world champion wasn’t very forthcoming about his evident lack of speed today. « Daniel and Red Bull have done a good job, congratulations to them. They have had the best pace since the start of the weekend, so it’s no surprise. The race is long tomorrow and those guys haven’t tested the other tires… we’ll see. »
That was intense! P3 on the #MonacoGP grid for @LewisHamilton, P5 for @ValtteriBottas. We can fight from there! #F1 pic.twitter.com/kPmE5tTFl4
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) May 26
From our special correspondent in Monaco
