Red Bull ‘pulling back’ Mercedes

AUSTRALIAN F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo says he can end Mercedes’ domination with a Monte Carlo win.

AUSTRALIAN Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is optimistic about ending Mercedes’ domination after a race-affected final practice on the Monte Carlo street circuit.

Ricciardo said his Red Bull car was gradually pulling back the advantages shown by season leader Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg over the first five races and he was buoyed by final practice before tonight’s qualifying session and the race ­tomorrow night.

“The morning went well,” said Ricciardo after stepping off the track following a downpour during the second practice session which was abandoned by most teams. He had been just 0.2 seconds off the fastest time set by Hamilton. “It is still early, but we are there or thereabouts with them (Mercedes),’’ Ricciardo said. “With a few little tweaks over the next 24 hours, if we get it the way we want we will give them a run.”

Red Bull principal Christian Horner said the layout of the Monaco circuit would help his team because there was less emphasis on straight line speed.

“I think if beating Mercedes is going to be anywhere, this is the place for it,” Ricciardo said.

“They don’t seem to have a sector at the moment that is blowing everyone away. It is still early days but if we get it all together we can challenge them.”

Both Ricciardo, 24, and his teammate, reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel, believe the refinements to the Red Bull cars since Spain a fortnight ago will narrow the gap, with the nerve of the drivers to be sorely tested.

“Mentally, Monaco is the toughest circuit,’’ Ricciardo said. “Because running that edge you are trying to find a bit more (time), and a bit more, until you brush the wall or you come close to crashing.

“You force yourself to get closer and closer until you work out where you need to be for the best laptime. You could drive within yourself and keep it safe, but I force myself, that’s what competition does to you.’’

Red Bull was also celebrating chief technical officer Adrian Newey’s decision to commit to the team for the foreseeable future despite rumoured lucrative ­overtures by Ferrari’s new boss Marco Mattiacci.

Hamilton said his “incredible’’ Mercedes car was behaving better than last year and he has been buoyed by the car’s response in the different weather conditions.