Ricciardo Earns Maiden 2016 Victory

Wesley Branton
October 3, 2016 @ 2:06 am

Share

Copy Link

---

Share on FacebookShare on X (Twitter)Share on ThreadsShare on WhatsAppShare on PinterestShare on Flipbook

© Pirelli & C. S.p.A.

Daniel Ricciardo has helped make history at the Malaysian Grand Prix, helping to give Red Bull their first 1-2 finish since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix and also making Red Bull the only team, other than Mercedes, to score a 1-2 finish in the new V6 hybrid turbocharged era of Formula One. He celebrated his victory with a refreshing drink from his shoe.

The team’s last 1-2 finish was led by Sebastian Vettel, with Mark Webber finishing in P2 at the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix nearly three years ago. Daniel Ricciardo has dedicated his race victory to the late Jules Bianchi. The Frenchman sustained fatal injuries from an accident in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

An emotional Daniel Ricciardo shared his thanks:

“I want to thank the team for making this all possible and I’m very grateful for today. After Monaco I had a lot of mixed emotions and it was a hard one to take but I felt as a team we came through that stronger and better. I want to thank my parents and my sister as well for the support they gave me growing up. I also want to dedicate the win to Jules [Bianchi], I have been waiting for a victory to dedicate to him. My life definitely changed since that incident and I am extremely grateful and appreciative of everything I’ve got.”

Ricciardo started from fourth position on the grid. He was lucky to overtake the cars ahead on the inside of the corner, avoiding the first lap contact between Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Nico Rosberg. Lap 39 gave the fans a good show, as Verstappen and Ricciardo had a wheel-to-wheel battle for second position. Verstappen wasn’t able to get by and Ricciardo maintained second position, although it quickly turned into first position when Lewis Hamilton’s engine gave up a few laps later.

From there it was smooth sailing for his first victory of 2016 and his first race victory since Belgium in 2014. This helps to solidify his third place in the World Drivers’ Championship title race and Red Bull’s second position in the World Constructors’ Championship.