F1 2020: Silver lining in Daniel Ricciardo’s DNF in Austria GP

Aussie F1 fans will be following the fortunes of Daniel Ricciardo’s future team as much as his current one this season — and signs are good.

Renault still can’t get out of its own way but for Daniel Ricciardo each Grand Prix — no matter how frustrating — is another step closer to McLaren.

And given Lando Norris’ breakthrough podium and Carlos Sainz’s fifth-placed finish behind him, Ricciardo’s decision to jump ship to the British manufacturer looks like an increasingly smart decision.

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RELATED: Chaos sees nine retirements in Austria

The F1 season restarted in Austria overnight but it was stalled resumption for the Australian who was forced to return to the pits about 20 laps in after suffering a loss of power. He didn’t return as Valtteri Bottas led from start to finish and kept away from the chaos behind him that saw nine retirements.

“I heard it was a cooling issue,” Ricciardo told reporters at the Red Bull Ring. “So we had to retire before we did more damage.

Ricciardo can’t get out of that Renault soon enough. What a farce of a team

— Harry Tucker (@harrytuckerr) July 5, 2020

“It’s a shame obviously, first race back, it’s a memory of what the sport can be like.

“I think the positive from this weekend is that in qualifying, low-fuel the car is strong, but I think on high-fuel we need to learn a little bit more. That’s an area where we can improve.

“The low-fuel is really good though, so we’ll try to learn, even though I only did 20 laps there is a lot to take from that.”

Daniel Ricciardo leads Pierre Gasly around the Red Bull Ring before it all went wrong. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Ricciardo’s Renault teammate Estaban Ocon had a more successful showing in his first outing since the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, recovering to eighth.

But it was the performance of Norris that will have Ricciardo secretly smiling in the garage.

The 20-year-old Brit charged home, driving the fastest lap of the race on the final lap to claim the first podium of his career and sparking jubilant scenes.

“I’m speechless,” Norris said “There were a few points where I thought I had fudged it. I am so proud of the team for coming back from where we were a couple of years ago.”

Sainz, whose decision to leave for Ferrari at season’s end created the opening for Ricciardo, finished fifth to leave McLaren second in the constructors standings after the opening race.

Good race, good battles and a first podium for Mr. Norris. Congrats! Enjoy the mil....the champagne 🍾😅@LandoNorris @McLarenF1 #carlossainz pic.twitter.com/Zwv3Bbu7Xg

— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) July 5, 2020

AUSTRIA GP PLACINGS

1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes)

2. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)

3. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren)

4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes)*

5. Carlos Sainz (ESP/McLaren)

6. Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing Point)*

7. Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri)

8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Renault)

9. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Romeo Racing)

10. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari)

11. Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams)

12. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/AlphaTauri)

13. Alexander Albon (THA/Red Bull)

DNF: Daniil Kvyat (RUS/AlphaTauri), Alexander Albon (THA/Red Bull)

Retired: Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull), Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault), Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point), Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas), Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas), George Russell (GBR/Williams), Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Alfa Romeo Racing)

*Hamilton and Perez given five-second penalties