DISASTER FOR DAN AS FAST FINN STEALS SHOW
Daniel Ricciardo’s career at Renault has started in horrific fashion after disaster stuck the Australian literally within seconds of the season-opener, which was won by Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas.
Ricciardo was edged on to the Albert Park grass when the lights went out at the Australian Grand Prix yesterday, causing him to lose his front wing and be pushed to the back of the pack.
The wing was replaced but further damage to the side of his vehicle was reported, which appeared to hinder his race pace as he failed to climb back through the pack.
He was retired on lap 38, while Bottas converted on his lap one pass of teammate Lewis Hamilton to claim the first chequered flag of the season.
The Finn was in a league of his own in the Melbourne sunshine and cruised home well ahead of Hamilton, who failed to convert on an Albert Park pole for the fifth time since 2014.
“I don’t remember when we last saw Lewis Hamilton beaten fair and square like this – and by 20 seconds,” former driver Paul di Resta said on Sky Sports.
Bottas was lost for words when he stepped out of the car, eventually saying: “I don’t know what to say. The start was really good – definitely my best race ever. I don’t know what happened but it felt so good, everything was under control. Truly enjoyable.”
Defending world champion Hamilton finished second while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen showed good pace on his way to the bottom step of the podium.
Ferrari were once again outgunned despite promising pre-season speed, and finished well back in fourth and fifth.
Sebastian Vettel was passed on-track by Verstappen, while new recruit Charles Leclerc recovered from an early off to finish fifth.
Vettel was shocked by the lack of pace, asking over team radio: “Why are we so slow?”