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  Malaysian GP: Daniel Ricciardo wins drama-filled race

Malaysian GP: Daniel Ricciardo wins drama-filled race

AGENCIES
Published : Oct 2, 2016, 11:24 pm IST
Updated : Oct 2, 2016, 11:24 pm IST

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia drinks champagne from his shoe as he celebrates on the podium after winning the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo: AP)

Daniel Ricciardo.jpg
 Daniel Ricciardo.jpg

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia drinks champagne from his shoe as he celebrates on the podium after winning the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo: AP)

Daniel Ricciardo led a Red Bull one-two as a distraught Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of regaining the world championship lead went up in smoke at a dramatic, action-packed Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hamilton was leading with 15 laps to go when his engine exploded at the Sepang International Circuit.

Championship leader Nico Rosberg survived a first-bend spin involving Sebastian Vettel and a 10-second penalty to take third place and extend the gap over Mercedes teammate Hamilton to 23 points with just five races remaining.

Hamilton was almost in tears with his head in his hands after the dramatic end to his race which has dealt a severe blow to his chances of securing a third drivers’ championship in a row.

He had looked all set to snatch back the lead from Rosberg, who was relegated from second on the grid to 21st after he was hit by Vettel on the first bend.

Vettel was forced to retire with a broken front suspension in the incident that also involved Verstappen.

An ecstatic Ricciardo celebrated his first win of the season on the podium with a “shoey” — drinking champagne from his driving boot.

“It was a race of challenges,” said Ricciardo.

“Lewis got the lead and had his problems. It went the other way in Monaco, and I will take this today,” said the Australian, referring to his botched final pit stop which handed Hamilton victory in Monaco earlier in the season.

“It has been two years since (my) last win, and it has been a bit emotional. I said two weeks ago we would win one and we did.”

Verstappen, who turned 19 on Friday, celebrated his podium finish and his birthday by also drinking the sweaty cocktail.

The Red Bull pair battled thrillingly wheel-to-wheel through six bends at one point, with Ricciardo just managing to hold off the teenage Flying Dutchman.

“We were pushing the whole race,” said Verstappen.

Sahara Force India enjoyed another double points finish in the season with Sergio Perez finishing a strong sixth and Nico Hulkenberg eighth, respectively.