Ricciardo powers to Chinese victory
GRAND PRIX: HAMILTON, VETTEL FAIL TO MAKE PODIUM German disgusted as Verstappen clips his Ferrari
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo celebrated with a trademark champagne “shoey” after winning a thrilling Chinese Grand Prix yesterday, just a day after engine trouble nearly cost him a shot at qualifying.
The Australian carved his way through the field from sixth place, after taking on fresh tyres under a safety car, to storm to the sixth grand prix victory of his career.
“I don’t seem to win boring races. They’re all pretty fun,” said an elated Ricciardo, who filled one of his shoes with champagne on the podium and chugged it in a signature “shoey” victory celebration.
Ricciardo took the lead with just 10 laps to go when he charged past then-leader Valtteri Bottas, who ended up second in his Mercedes. Kimi Raikkonen was third for Ferrari.
Championship leader Sebastian Vettel, who led from the pole until the first set of tyre stops, dropped back to finish eighth after a collision with Max Verstappen, who was penalised 10 seconds for hitting the German.
Defending champion Lewis Hamilton missed out on the podium for the first time this season, crossing the line fifth behind Verstappen. He was promoted to fourth after the Dutchman’s penalty was applied.
Red Bull’s win adds a fresh wrinkle to a season in which Ferrari had surged out in front, with Vettel taking the first two races of the season in Australia and Bahrain.
It was a day to forget for Vettel, however, who started from the pole next to teammate Raikkonen in a lockout for Ferrari.
Vettel seemed headed for the podium in third on lap 43 when Verstappen clipped him on turn 14, sending them both spinning and several places down the race order.
It was the second straight weekend in which Verstappen had been involved in a collision.
He and Hamilton had a run-in in Bahrain, after which the Englishman was overheard lobbing an expletive at the young Dutchman.
“I don’t think I have to say anything here,” a disgusted Vettel said over his radio in an obvious reference to the Dutchman’s aggressive style.
Ricciardo took advantage of the tyre change during the safety car to dart past Hamilton, Vettel and then Bottas in relatively short order to take a lead he would not relinquish. – AFP