Daniel Ricciardo wins Italian Grand Prix marred by Verstappen/Hamilton clash
Daniel Ricciardo has won his first victory as a McLaren driver at the Italian Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Lando Norris and Valtteri Bottas.
Daniel Ricciardo returns to the top step of the F1 podium at Monza. (F1/Twitter)
The Australian escaped unscathed from a dramatic race behind him that saw championship rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton collide in an angry moment at the turn one chicane.
Ricciardo put his car on the front row in sprint qualifying and took the lead into turn one from pole-sitter Verstappen.
He grew the lead until the first round of pit stops, increasing the lead to Verstappen as both battled tyre wear and considered their strategic options.
Teammate Lando Norris was third ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who started on the alternate strategy with hard tyres.
McLaren blinked first, pitting Ricciardo and setting off the strategic battle behind them
Verstappen's woes began when a eleven-second pit stop pushed him back down the order.
Hamilton, out for longer on the alternate tyre, pitted laps later, but also had a delayed stop.
The Mercedes driver returned to the track just ahead of Verstappen, and the two clashed in the turn one chicane as neither was willing to concede any space to their opponent.
Daniel Ricciardo celebrates his first victory with McLaren. (F1/Twitter)
After a long safety car period it was a McLaren one-two, with Norris briefly arguing that he was faster than his leading teammate.
Ricciardo was instructed to pick up the pace and sailed to the finish line for his first win of the season and first victory as a McLaren driver.
Valtteri Bottas completed the podium, making up 16 positions in a charge through the field after starting last on the grid.
“Crazy, what an awesome day!” said Ricciardo.
“We really set the tone from the start of the weekend.”
“I think anyone that’s seen the demeanour this weekend, they’re not surprised.”
“I’m really stoked that it turned into a victory.”
“A big thanks to the team.”
“Not only winning, but a one-two’s incredible.”
“A lot of hard work went into this and we really earned it out there.”
“I’m really, really happy.”
