Rookie Ricciardo takes out Canadian F1 Grand Prix
RED Bull’s F1 rookie Daniel Ricciardo has cemented his status as one of Australia’s best drivers with victory in the Canadian Grand Prix.
RED Bull’s F1 rookie, Daniel Ricciardo cemented his status as one of Australia’s best drivers, winning his first Grand Prix in a dramatic, accident-strewn race at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo, 24, took the lead on the penultimate lap of the 70 lap circuit at Montreal and could only mutter "wow" as he chequered flag was waved. Pumped at his first victory, Ricciardo poured the celebratory champagne into the huge trophy, took a huge gulp and said:
"I am still in shock, thanks everyone, this is ridiculous."
He pointed to sections of the crowd draped in the national flag, smiled, waved and pumped his fists.
"There’s lots of Aussie flags, that nice," he said. Seconds after Ricciardo overtook the Mercedes leader Nico Rosberg in the tightest of corners, the safety car had come out onto the track following a dramatic crash involving Sergio Perez and Felipe Massa.
It meant Ricciardo could coast the final half a lap knowing the most surprising of victories was his. The win puts Ricciardo on par with Australia’s other great formula one drivers including his hero Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones and the man whose spot he has taken in the Red Bull team, Mark Webber.
Ricciardo’s triumph, ahead of Rosberg and once again dominating his Red Bull team mate, the reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel, puts him third on the leaders’ standings behind the Mercedes drivers, Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes cars had power issues through the race and Hamilton withdrew three-quarters through.
Ricciardo said: "The race really came to life in the last 15 to 20 laps, I saw Rosberg was slow on the straights, but it was hard to pass (Force India’s) Perez, so I finally got a run at the last chicane. And (with) a couple of laps to go, I got in the right spot to get the DRS (drag reduction system) which allows greater power. It is such a really great feeling."
Only 13 of the 22 cars finished the race, which was unpredictable and chaotic from the start.
Team principal Christian Horner said Ricciardo has more than proven his worth on the Red Bull team.
"Daniel has been unbelievable all season, and the way he drove today was amazing.
He has proved his worth, his value, he has exceeded all our expectations, the way he won today was unbelievable."
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