Ricciardo's rough start to the 2022 season seems to have no end. The Monaco Grand Prix has always been one of the Aussie’s favourites, more than ever after his notorious win in 2018. However, he McLaren’s driver didn’t manage to have his redemption after a disheartening 2022 campaign scoring only 11 points in the first seven races.

A crash in FP2 meant Ricciardo began the weekend on the back foot and he went on to qualify 14th. On Sunday, the race started off in wet conditions behind the Safety Car.

Ricciardo saw the adverse weather conditions as a potential for a strong race: “I was smiling with those conditions because I saw it as an opportunity. We knew it was going to be tough.

“Obviously being Monaco, results are heavily based on qualifying so yesterday really shaped the weekend.

“I think when we saw the rain come that was quite a surprise - just how quickly and heavy it came. We thought maybe there was some opportunity there, but obviously, everyone kind of ended up filling into similar strategies.

Heavy rain caused a lengthy red flag and a consequent delay. Ricciardo gained two places for P12 after Vettel and Tsunoda pitted.

However, after having switched to Inters AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly closed up on Ricciardo. Thanks to his superior grip, Gasly was able to pull alongside Ricciardo exiting the corner before then completing the move on the entry to Swimming Pool, which is rarely an overtaking spot in Monaco. The McLaren driver dropped to P13.

“We tried to minimize our bad luck in qualifying and tried to go as aggressive as possible but obviously we couldn’t do much,” continued Ricciardo.

“In any case, we ultimately just weren’t quick enough this weekend. So not much more to say. It was cool having a full crowd back. The atmosphere here was fun. I would have loved to have put a bit more of a show on, but that wraps up the weekend.”

🍯🦡 don't quit. #MonacoGP 🇲🇨 pic.twitter.com/KV4KgrALFa

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 29, 2022

Despite the difficult situation he is going through, the Honey Badger says he is now pretty used to it and has crafted his own strategy to reset ahead of a new race weekend.  

"Obviously, a tough weekend to take, unfortunately, I’m experienced with these – had a few of them the last 12 months, so I feel like I can handle them a little bit better"

“Try to keep trying, that’s it, I won’t go down without a fight but of course I don’t wish to be fighting for 13th. I’d love to get some good results soon,” Ricciardo concluded.