Christian Horner has hailed Daniel Ricciardo's "dynamite" lap in Monaco after the Australian secured his maiden F1 pole.
Ricciardo has been quick all weekend in an RB12 sporting an upgraded Renault engine but brought it all together in qualifying, with his first Q3 time of 1:13.622 two tenths faster than closest rival Nico Rosberg's best effort.
It is Red Bull's first pole position since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix and the team principal was quick to lavish praise on Ricciardo following his stunning display around the Monte Carlo streets.
"It's an amazing performance," Horner told Sky F1. "A 1:13.6s is mighty. That first lap he did in Q3 was just dynamite.
"It was sensational - to be in the 1:13s around here... wow. He's been driving beautifully all weekend, you only need to look at the last sector to see how clean he's been driving the car."
Ricciardo will start Sunday's Monaco GP on the supersoft tyre, rather than the ultrasoft, after setting his fastest lap in Q2 on the red-strapped compound. As both he and his team admitted, it gives them more options in the race.
"I was surprised that nobody else opted for it," added Horner.
Following a frustrating 2015, Ricciardo has been in inspired form this season but has been hampered by either misfortune when suffering first-lap contact or team strategy when, at the Spanish GP, he was pitted from the lead.
The 26-year-old had to watch new team-mate Max Verstappen win on that occasion, but will now be hoping the forecast rain for Sunday holds off to give him the optimum chance of his first victory of the campaign.
Qualifying report: Ricciardo on pole, Lewis third
"I knew coming into the weekend that we had a shot at it," Ricciardo, who yelled "my time" over team radio after taking pole, said.
"It looked good from Thursday and I sort of had it in my mind, also after Barcelona, that in the last few races I've been driving well but haven't got maximum rewards.
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"I came into the weekend with a lot of confidence and belief that I could be in this position. I'm very happy to fulfill that. It feels good, I've always enjoyed this place.
"We've got a good package behind us now and it's nice to make the most out of it."
With Monaco not as engine-reliant as other tracks, Red Bull were bound to feel comfortable in the Principality with their chassis generally lauded as the best on the grid. However, the circuit also relies on driver skill like no other.
"No disrespect to Red Bull, but I think that's Ricciardo's pole position," said Martin Brundle. "He's been on it all weekend. A stonking lap."
Watch the Monaco GP live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up underway at 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV.