Ricciardo grabs first F1 win
June 8, 2014
Australia's Ricciardo collected his first Formula One victory on Sunday, overtaking Rosberg with two laps to go in a dramatic race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.
Rosberg started from pole, and looked set to fight it out for first place with teammate Hamilton. The safety car was called into action early when Britain' Max Chilton collided with his Marussia teammate Jules Bianchi of France on the first lap. The crash left debris strewn across the track, and both drivers were forced to retire from the race.
Brake problems for Mercedes
When the race resumed, it turned into the heated Rosberg against Hamilton duel that fans expected. The two clamored for first place, with Rosberg usually ahead, until the 49th lap, when brake problems cut Hamilton's race short.
Hamilton's retirement was a boost for his German teammate, who who continued to hold onto the lead despite brake problems of his own. But with just two laps to go, Ricciardo pipped Rosberg to jump into the first place.
His Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel of Germany, meanwhile, jumped into third after overtaking Force India's Sergio Perez in the final chicane. The German assured himself a podium finish after Perez and Felipe Massa of Williams-Mercedes suffered a high-speed crash moments later. The race finished behind the safety car, giving Ricciardo his first career win and putting both Red Bull drivers on the podium for the first time this season.
"This is ridiculous," Ricciardo said. "The race really came to life in the final 15 laps ... it's an amazing feeling. I'm really grateful for this."
Britain's Jenson Button finished fourth of McClaren, ahead of Force India's Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.
'Positive day' for Red Bull
"We were just not quick enough down the straights, we just lacked power," said Vettel, who has been beaten by his teammate in the last five races. "Still, it's a very positive day. Daniel's first win, the first win for Renault in this era for engines."
It was a welcome victory for the Red Bull team, who have watched Mercedes' Rosberg and Hamilton dominate the season thus far.
The second place finish keeps Rosberg atop the world championship standings with 140 points. Hamilton is second on 118, while the win helps keep Ricciardo in the fight on 79 points.
The result also helps Red Bull gain ground on Mercedes' massive lead in the Constructors standings. Mercedes are first on 258 points, with Red Bull trailing on 139.