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Ricciardo thrives in British GP chaos

3 minute read

Australian star Daniel Ricciardo had his best result in Formula One this season with a fourth-place finish at the British Grand Prix.

DANIEL RICCIARDO of Australia and Red Bull Racing during practice for the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
DANIEL RICCIARDO of Australia and Red Bull Racing during practice for the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Daniel Ricciardo has made the most of the chaos at Silverstone to match his best finish for Renault by coming in fourth at the British Grand Prix.

The Formula One race was dramatically won by Lewis Hamilton who survived a last-lap puncture that turned his Mercedes into a three-wheeler on Sunday.

Ricciardo made the most of his good fortune late in the race when debris on track caused punctures for Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas and McLaren's Carlos Sainz that dropped them down the field.

Despite missing out on a podium spot by a little more than a second, the result was Ricciardo's best for Renault since the 2019 Italian Grand Prix.

"It was a crazy race at the end, and it feels really cool to take fourth place," Ricciardo said.

His Renault teammate Esteban Ocon claimed sixth at Silverstone to ensure a solid day out for the French manufacturer.

After qualifying eighth fastest, Ricciardo gained two positions on the opening lap.

A fascinating midfield fight from fifth through to 10th ensued with Ricciardo giving himself every opportunity to take advantage of any openings which duly arrived.

He overtook Lando Norris, who will be his teammate at McLaren next season, and gained from Sainz's mishap but could not catch the Ferrari of third-placed Charles Leclerc.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was second.

"We had some pace at the end and I was able to get Lando and then Carlos had a problem," Ricciardo said.

"I saw Charles [Leclerc] getting closer and maybe with a couple more laps we could have had a podium!

"We have another chance next week.

"We were assisted by some chaos, but we were definitely a top six car today and that's pleasing."

In an astonishing end to the race Hamilton had dominated from pole position, the six-times world champion nursed his stricken Mercedes across the line to stretch his world championship lead to 30 points.

"I have definitely never experienced anything like that on the last lap," Hamilton said after inspecting his barely-attached front left tyre.

It was his 87th race win.

The next round, the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix to mark Silverstone's hosting of the first world championship race in 1950, is at the same circuit next weekend.

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