DANIEL RICCIARDO has smashed the Monaco lap record, with times set to tumble ever further.
This season’s Formula One cars are over a second quicker over a lap compared to the previous year as teams continue to eke out performance gains.
Red Bull’s speedy Aussie actually broke the track record in both of yesterday’s practice sessions.
The 28-year-old set a time of 1:12.126 before lunch before then setting a scorching time of 1:11.841.
Ricciardo’s effort obliterated the previous track record, which was set by Kimi Raikkonen last year, who took pole with a time of 1:12.178.
Ricciardo’s lap was set using the newest Pirelli hyper-soft tyres, which have been specially developed by the Italian firm for low-grip street circuits.
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We have a new track record at Monaco@danielricciardo has become the first driver to record a lap in the 1m 11s around these iconic streets
And just look at that speed
#MonacoGP #FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/dol8TXwkAw
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 25, 2018
It is the first time it has been used and the new tyre is set to see records tumble even further.
Ricciardo said: “Having the hyper-soft tyre gives us that little bit more grip and it’s pretty cool to be breaking lap record.
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“I’m glad that was the fastest lap that anyone has ever done as it felt so quick.”
Monaco Grand Prix by numbers
- Lap length 2.074miles
- Race laps 78
- Race distance 161.734miles
- Maximum speed 180.2mph
- Distance from grid to turn one 111metres
- The first Monaco Grand Prix was run in 1929
- Ayrton Senna won the Monaco GP a record six times
- Four drivers have died on the Monaco track, most recently Lorenzo Bandini in 1967
Renault’s Carlos Sainz believes the new rubber will spice up tomorrow’s qualifying for the Monaco GP.
He added: “Expect madness! It will be great!
“Already last year with these new cars it was something incredible and this year we have two stops softer compound.
“For me the best tyre that Pirelli have done in a lot of years. It’s going to be crazy.”
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