'Absolutely flying': Daniel Ricciardo turns back the clock at Mexican Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo produced a vintage performance to redeem himself after ending a rival's race at the Mexican Grand Prix. 

Daniel Ricciardo has still got it.

The Australian turned in a vintage drive at the Mexican Grand Prix on Monday morning (AEDT), overcoming a 10-second time penalty to finish seventh.

It was an uneventful race in Mexico City until an overly ambitious Ricciardo lunged to overtake Yuki Tsunoda but clipped the AlphaTauri, sending him off the track and out of the race.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Ricciardo was in 12th at the time and any hopes of finishing in the points seemed to be dashed when he was handed a 10-second time penalty for causing the incident.

But he then turned on the afterburners on fresh soft tyres and flew through the field to redeem himself and ensure the sanction didn't affect his final result.

McLaren told Lando Norris to let his teammate through before Ricciardo produced a run of sensational overtakes - passing Valtteri Bottas and Alpine duo Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon in the space of a couple of laps.

Danny Ric has still got it. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Ricciardo drove the wheels off his McLaren. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images )

“It has really fired him up, fired him up in a treat,” Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle said.

“He’s a candidate for driver of the day with all the overtaking he’s doing. He’s so charged up.”

David Croft added: "Welcome back Daniel, we missed you,” commentator David Croft said.

“He’s driven with fire in the belly. Completely different to the United States just a week ago.”

Alonso crashed out, triggering a very brief Virtual Safety Car period. But Ricciardo wouldn't be denied of a top 10 finish, producing lightning quick lap times to put more than 10 seconds between himself and Ocon in eighth.

It was a throwback performance by Ricciardo, who was recognised by F1 supporters with the fan-voted 'driver of the day' award.

Danny Ric is driving the wheels off that thing.

— Graydon Gordian (@MrGordian) October 30, 2022

LFG @danielricciardo

— Trevor Long (@trevorlong) October 30, 2022

Ricciardo with the master plan. End’s Tsunoda, gets a 10s penalty but neutralised it on the track.

Give the honey badger the driver of the day #f1

— Arran Spake (@haloofthoughts) October 30, 2022

Love seeing the “old” @danielricciardo back today 🤩💯 yes mate! #F1

— Marcus Ericsson (@Ericsson_Marcus) October 30, 2022

Max Verstappen led from start to finish in another flawless race to claim a record-breaking 14th victory of the season, surpassing the previous best tally of 13 wins he jointly held with Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel for one week.

Lewis Hamilton was second and Sergio Perez finished third at his home Grand Prix in Mexico.

Mexican Grand Prix results (Top 10)

1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

2) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

3) Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

4) George Russell (Mercedes)

5) Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

6) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

7) Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)

8) Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

9) Lando Norris (McLaren)

10) Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)

Max Verstappen claimed a recordbreakingi4th victory of the season in Mexico. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Originally published as 'Absolutely flying': Daniel Ricciardo turns back the clock at Mexican Grand Prix

Updates