Australian Daniel Ricciardo has recorded potentially the most frustrating second place finish of the 2016 Formula One season, gifting Lewis Hamilton victory in Monaco following a blunder from his pit crew.
The mishap occurred when Ricciardo entered the pits on Lap 33 to change from wet to intermediate tires; the only problem was, his crew, or the tires, were nowhere to be seen as he arrived for switch.
Losing precious seconds, the 26-year-old Australian was forced to sit in the cockpit of his Red Bull while his crew took an excruciating 22 seconds to send him on his way.
Following the race Ricciardo was clearly frustrated by the failings of his team, stating: “Two weeks in a row I’ve been screwed.”
“It sucks. I was called into the box. They should have been ready. Nothing you can say can make it any better. Just save it.”
WATCH THE INCREDIBLE BLUNDER IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE.
Kaks
Roar Guru
I found it amusing when I heard news of the deal with Renault, with Red Bull claiming that they were prepared to quit F1 if the rules werent change to suit them and all...
McNaulty
Guest
It was a surprisingly entertaining race especially by the Red Bull team spoiled by the finish line appearance of Beiber...sickening.
steve
Guest
Not really sure Id call that strategy in Barcelona, by taking the race leader, making him pit once more than the three podium finishers and dump him back in 4th place on a track notoriously difficult to pass on, with an underpowered engine underneath him. He is right, he got screwed in Barcelona and he got screwed by his team again last night in Monaco.
Kingcowboy
Guest
I read it was half a second quicker over the engine Mad Max had. I also read today that they have extended the deal for another two years and Toro Rossa are going to start using them again 2017 & 2018 under the Tag Hauer branding. Despite the set backs of the last two races, very exciting times ahead.
Damo
Guest
Been a huge fan of Dan for a while, my only fear was that he was too nice for F1. Well after the Spanish GP, then owning almost all of the MonacoGP weekend and then spraying his crew and pitwall during and after the race; I'm happy to see this is not the case. Good to see some aggro in him.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Interested in what the new Renault engine has to offer. It seems to have gotten Dan back into contention based on this race alone, however it's hard to fully grasp it's power on a road track like Monaco.
Kingcowboy
Guest
Hey Kaks, the Spanish GP was a strategy mistake and not the fault of the pit crew. Someone should lose their job over last nights stuff up. I wouldn't count Dan out for the World Championship, he is still a massive show and the Mercs are showing reliability issues.
Brett McKay
Expert
Ricciardo's reaction once he's re-entered the race was telling: "Just save it. There's nothing you can say now that will make it better, so just save it."
Nate
Guest
Just wow, that's awful!
Kaks
Roar Guru
Should've seen my face when I saw this last night, couldn't believe how amateur that was - again! Poor guy has had two races taken from him by an amateur pit crew, no wonder he didnt have a smile on his face for the first time in his career.