Ricciardo and the “team reward”: the top 3 statements in Shanghai!
Winner of the day, Daniel Ricciardo was keen to first and foremost thank his mechanics for the huge effort they made this Saturday after his engine blew up. Also find the reactions of Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Räikkönen, who finished second and third in this Chinese Grand Prix.
Work in Formula 1 is above all collective. Proof of this is Daniel Ricciardo’s surprise victory against all odds. Remember: after being dropped due to a turbo problem in FP3, the Perth native just made it to Q1, two hours after the failure on his RB14 was diagnosed. A colossal effort was rewarded during the race, thanks to a highly strategic second pit stop during the Safety Car period. Restarting in sixth, Daniel Ricciardo put on a show, overtaking Räikkönen, Hamilton, Vettel, and Bottas in that order in just eight laps. Laughing on the podium, the winner’s first words were to his team, as he had never won a race starting from the front row!
First: Daniel Ricciardo
« That one was unexpected! 24 hours ago, I thought I would be starting from the back of the grid. First of all, thank you to my guys, this result is a real reward for their hard work. »
« It was epic! I heard at turn 14 that the Safety Car was coming onto the track. We had to quickly decide to pit, but it was decisive and gave us the victory. »
Sometimes, you just have to seize the opportunity: I really took advantage of it! I knew with my new tires that I could brake later. My overtake on Valtteri was close but fair. I don’t know why, but I don’t win boring races!
Second: Valtteri Bottas
For his 100th start in Formula 1, the Mercedes driver finishes once again in second place, but after spending 18 laps in the lead. He leaves China frustrated; the Finn had done the hardest part with his undercut on Vettel during his only pit stop of the day.
The race was going quite well for us until they (editor’s note: the Red Bull drivers) stopped during the Safety Car. We were then in trouble with Daniel, and I almost got overtaken by Kimi.
« It’s disappointing, I gave it my all and once again, I feel we deserved the victory. Everything was under control and I had no sudden drop in performance. Without the Safety Car, I think I could have contained Sebastian. »
Beaten on track, but not out of the fight yet! 18 to go! 👊#ChineseGP 🇨🇳 #DrivenByEachOther pic.twitter.com/iw2PujNlfp
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) 15 avril /f1/actualite/22630-chine-essais-libres-3-vettel-et-raikkonen-brillent-ricciardo-brule.html
Third: Kimi Räikkönen
Pushed by Vettel at the start, “Iceman” still played the good little soldier by sacrificing the end of his first stint to hold off Bottas and help his teammate. Räikkönen finally made it to the podium thanks to the collision between Verstappen and Vettel, without having been able to overtake on the track.
I got off to a good start but got a bit blocked, which made me lose positions in the first corners. I then stayed on track for a long time. I had a bit of luck with the Safety Car. I needed the soft tires at the end to try something. I got closer to Valtteri but it’s difficult to follow cars on this track.
