MONTE CARLO — Daniel Ricciardo topped the times ahead of his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen in Thursday's opening free practice for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

The big-smiling Australian clocked a best lap of one minute and 12.126 seconds to outpace the young Dutchman by one-tenth of a second.

Championship leader and defending four-time champion Briton Lewis Hamilton was third for Mercedes, three-tenths adrift of the quickest time, ahead of title rival and fellow four time champion German Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.

Finn Kimi Raikkonen was fifth in the second Ferrari ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz of Renault and Finn Valtteri Bottas who was seventh in second Mercedes.

Mexican Sergio Perez was ninth for Force India ahead of a controlled Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Haas and Russian rookie Sergey Sirotkin of Williams, who bounced back from an early skirmish.

On a bright clear blue-skied morning in the Mediterranean principality, Mercedes were quickly into their stride with both men topping the times in the opening minutes before Red Bull joined the fray in earnest.

Thereafter it was cut and thrust between the two teams in a session of few incidents —Sirotkin clipping the barriers and damaging the right rear wheel of his Williams and Fernando Alonso being sidelined for repairs to a braking issue. The Spaniard returned to wind up 17th.

As many expected, including Hamilton, the Red Bull drivers reveled in the handling of their car on the tight and unforgiving street track as both Verstappen and Ricciardo topped the times using the new 'hyper-soft' tires on the resurfaced track.

Bottas celebrated the 20th anniversary of fellow-Finn Mika Hakkinen's sole Monaco victory by wearing a helmet in the design and colors used by the double Formula 1 champion. In a move that maintains a tradition for tribute helmets at the Monaco Grand Prix, Bottas has adopted Hakkinen's three blue stripes on a white foundation.

"He won here 20 years ago and that year he also won the title," said Bottas. "I wanted to pay a tribute. I respect him as a driver, as a guy, and I always loved the paint as well."

Other drivers including Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne, Monegasque Charles Leclerc and New Zealander Brendon Hartley have revealed special crash helmets featuring a Monaco theme.

Bottas also responded to Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton's remarks suggesting a laid-back attitude to a new contract. "There isn't any sticking point. There just hasn't been any rush," Hamilton said earlier. "There's no discussion with anybody else, there's no consideration for anybody else, it's just (me) taking my time."

To which Bottas, who has a one-year contract with Mercedes, responded by saying he hoped both would be with the team next year. "First of all, I would like to stay here," said the Finn. "That is my goal for the long term. It would be nice if Lewis wants to stay and finds an agreement.

"I enjoy working with him, I enjoy the challenge he gives me. I enjoy the fact he's a four-time world champion and at the moment I'm none. It makes me try harder to be better. It wouldn't change my mind that I want to stay here, but I think we work well together." — AFP