Daniel Ricciardo's hopes of victory at the Monaco Grand Prix have been given a boost, with the Australian Formula One driver handed the reins to Renault's newest engine.
Red Bull confirmed Ricciardo would get the upgraded unit ahead of his teenage teammate Max Verstappen, who became the sport's youngest winner on debut for the team in the most recent grand prix in Spain.
Renault had planned to introduce the new engine in Canada next month, but have made one available for Red Bull for Monaco and its works team, with indications it could bring a gain of up to half a second a lap.
Both Ricciardo and Verstappen tested the power unit last week and were upbeat about its potential.
Ricciardo was in no doubt he would get first dibs at the engine, despite Verstappen's surprise success last start following his shock mid-season promotion from sister outfit Toro Rosso.
"It was pretty much the guy leading the championship (who) would have got that," he said.
"Obviously at the time with Daniil (Kvyat as a teammate) it was looking like I would have got it here anyway.
"Then with Max as well, probably. That is pretty much that."
Ricciardo, who set a lap record last year on his way to fifth place on the tight and twisty Monaco track, is ahead in the standings after five rounds.
Verstappen will to have to wait until Montreal to get his engine, which Renault boss Remi Taffin claims is more powerful, driveable and efficient.
"I'm looking forward to using it in Canada," the 18-year-old Dutch driver said.
Ricciardo left Barcelona frustrated after his team put him on a three-stop strategy, which he felt cost him victory or at least a podium finish.
But he insists he never suspected that Red Bull was trying to favour eventual victor Verstappen.
"I spoke a lot with the team and had a lot of explanations, the reasons why we pitted and at the time it seemed the three-stop was the best thing to do," he said.
"It didn't fall in my favour which obviously sucked, but there was no other agenda behind it.
"Deep down I always knew (the strategy) was with the right intentions, it just didn't work."
Verstappen's win ended a 30-race drought for Red Bull.
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