"I'm 27 soon and I don't even have anything close to a world title," says frustrated Aussie after victory bypasses in Spain and Monaco
Monday 13 June 2016 12:13, UK
Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo has spoken of his frustration at not having "anything close to a world title" in Formula 1, after losing a second likely race victory in a row at the Monaco GP.
The Australian, recognised as one of the sport's most affable and talented drivers, cast a downbeat figure in the grand prix's aftermath after his hopes of winning F1's showpiece race for the first time unravelled when Red Bull botched his final pit stop.
Ricciardo claimed his first career pole in Monaco, but has not won since three breakthrough victories in 2014. Sunday's second-place finish was also just his third podium in the last 27 races.
And, five years after making his F1 debut, Ricciardo feels he should have more to show for his career to date.
"I've had my head held high all season," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Part of the frustrating thing is that I really do believe, and I've believed it for a long time - I don't want to say it because it's arrogant - but I believe a lot in my ability, let's just say that. And I should be getting more rewarded.
"I'm 27 very soon and I don't even have anything close to a world title and I believe I should have something like that very soon. Two weeks now, it could have been two wins and it's not. It's getting a little bit long in the tooth."
Although still regarded as a rising star of the sport, Ricciardo turns 27 on July 1 and is fast approaching 100 grands prix starts since his debut for now-defunct HRT in 2011.
His Red Bull contract is thought to run to 2018, although speculation over the past year has suggested Ricciardo will be high on Ferrari's shopping list when Kimi Raikkonen eventually leaves the team.
After a troubled 2015 when Ricciardo only twice made the podium, Red Bull have staged a renaissance this season, although it was new 18-year-old team-mate Max Verstappen who ended their victory drought at Barcelona.
And the pain of losing out in Monaco for Ricciardo has been heightened by the fact he knows the team are not yet ready to take on Mercedes on every type of circuit.
"I think I took Barcelona on the chin and then took it well but two in a row now, and it's not like we're in Mercedes' position, we're not able to win a race, so to have an opportunity to lead two races in a row and especially here in Monaco…" he said in the post-race press conference.
"Obviously a big part of it is relying on the team and the strategy but yeah, to get it wrong twice now it definitely hurts. I'm not sure where to go from here, what to do. Obviously they've got to understand what's going on and learn from it but this win I'll never get back, that's a fact."
