MONACO - Daniel Ricciardo took a dominant pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday, softening the blow for Red Bull after his teammate Max Verstappen failed to even start qualifying, having earlier crashed in final practice.
Ricciardo topped all three sections of qualifying, setting a lap record in the process for only his second career pole. The other was also in Monaco, two years ago.
"We sent a statement and have been quickest every session," Ricciardo said. "Just the race tomorrow and then we will celebrate. I have done everything I can so let's finish the job."
That sounded like a coded message to his team after a botched pit stop cost him victory here in 2016.
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel qualified second ahead of championship leader Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes. In a further boost for Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen was fourth ahead of Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas.
A sloppy error from Hamilton late in his qualifying run enabled Vettel to jump from third to second.
"I feel we've put ourselves in a good position, got as close as we could," Vettel said. "I don't feel there was a threat to Daniel's time today. It was expected here, they have a stronger downforce than anybody else."
Vettel won last year from second. But that was after a controversial team decision to pit Raikkonen, who finished second from pole.
"It's nearly impossible to overtake, but it's still one of the most fascinating races," Vettel said. "Things can happen here."