Daniel Ricciardo has revealed his front-row view of the incident between Alpine team-mates Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly brought back memories of his infamous collision with Max Verstappen in Baku six years ago.
In the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ricciardo and Verstappen were duelling for fourth position when the Australian ran into the back of the Dutchman on the run down to the first corner as he tried to overtake. The duo had already banged wheels as the feud simmered.
On the opening lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, Ocon foolishly tried to overtake Gasly through Portier, the corner that leads into the tunnel, resulting in contact that forced the former's car up into the air, landing heavily, breaking the suspension and wrecking the gearbox.
Ocon eventually apologised for the crash after the stewards described his overtaking attempt as "overly ambitious" after coming from "too far back", and that he was "wholly to blame for the incident".
Team principal Bruno Famin made clear there would be "consequences" as Ocon's manoeuvre "was not the place to attempt an attack" as he left "zero room" for Gasly.
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From his perspective from his RB cockpit behind the duo, Ricciardo could see the eventual outcome brewing.
"It was close," said Ricciardo when asked how close he came to being involved. "Lance [Stroll in his Aston Martin] was definitely closer, so I had a little more time to react."
Outlining what he saw taking place between Ocon and Gasly, he added: "Man, there was wheel touching, I feel like three times before that happened, or probably including that."
Taking him back to Azerbaijan, he then said: "Honestly, it reminded me of Baku 2018, where Max and I touched, I think twice or three times before the accident.
"That one [between Gasly and Ocon] brewed in a shorter period, but I could see it happening. I was like, 'Okay, I feel the tension rising very quickly'. Sometimes with team-mates, it sparks even more.
"When I saw it happen, I wasn't surprised because it felt like neither wanted to give in, and they were having a strong-arm competition.
"I know how that one goes, so I'm sure they [Alpine] are not happy."
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