Ricciardo Overcomes Contact to Win Monaco

Entering the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix, Porter Manor-Ferrari was hoping to record their first points in team history, a feat which they accomplished. Two seasons later, Manor-Mercedes returned to the streets of Monte Carlo with a different goal in mind: to win.

Carmen Jordá qualified on the pole, while Daniel Ricciardo was behind her in 2nd. Jordá led her teammate for the first 24 laps, losing the lead to the Australian during pit stops under yellow conditions after Sebastian Vettel crashed his Red Bull. On lap 30, Mercedes’ Nico Hülkenberg passed Jordá, followed by Ricciardo four laps later. Disaster struck for the Manors when both drivers spun after Jordá made contact with Ricciardo’s rear end while battling for position. The two pitted the following lap, and the team’s day seemed to worsen when Hülkenberg’s teammate Giedo van der Garde passed Jordá, though Ricciardo managed to remain in 2nd.

On lap 51, Manor’s chances of winning the race suddenly reappeared when Hülkenberg collided with the lapped Max Verstappen, sending the German over Verstappen’s McLaren. As a result of the contact, Ricciardo inherited the lead when the race restarted on lap 52 and held on for the final 25 laps to win his 3rd race of the season. Meanwhile, van der Garde pitted on lap 56, which allowed Jordá to get past and finish 2nd to record yet another Manor 1–2 finish.

“This season is awesome,” Team Principal Macus16 stated. He also expressed his confidence in defeating Mercedes and Sauber in the championship battle. “We shall defend our lead, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight them on the track, we shall fight in the garages, we shall fight in the qualifying and in the races, we shall fight them in the championship, we shall never surrender.”

“Call me Macus Churchill because we will beat the Germans.”

Next week, the Model F1 World Championship returns to Imola for the San Marino Grand Prix.

Remembering Keith

Prior to the podium celebration, MF1 arranged a moment of silence for track marshal Keith Baudinet, who succumbed to injuries during last season’s Monaco GP. On lap 46, then-Manor driver Pastor Maldonado collided with BRM’s Romain Grosjean, sending debris towards Baudinet.

On the podium, Ricciardo dedicated his win to the Baudinet family. “I’ve had the chance to talk to Keith before many times. One of the nicest guys I’ve met. We miss you, buddy.”

Baudinet had made it his plan to work as a marshal for every MF1 Grand Prix during the 2016A season; though it was unfortunately cut short, his memory lives on in the hearts of the MF1 paddock.