Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo committed his triumph in the Malaysian Grand Prix to the late Jules Bianchi.
Ricciardo was a dear companion of the Frenchman, who kicked the bucket of death in July 2015 from head wounds maintained in an accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
“I want to dedicate this one to Jules. I’ve been waiting for a victory, waiting to dedicate this to him.
“My life changed since that incident. I’m extremely grateful and appreciative of everything I’ve got,” he said.
In Spain, a flawed technique decision gave team-mate Max Verstappen the lead in his first race for Red Bull, and the Dutchman went ahead to win. “After Monaco, in particular, was obviously mixed emotions. It was a hard one to take,” Ricciardo said. I felt we’ve come through that, as a team we’ve learnt a lot. As a person, it made me a bit stronger. I think I’ve only got better since then.”
“I felt we’ve come through that, as a team we’ve learnt a lot. As a person, it made me a bit stronger. I think I’ve only got better since then.”
At the following race in Monaco, Ricciardo was postponed at a pit quit, permitting Lewis Hamilton past for the triumph. Ricciardo said: “I believe a positive mindset and perseverance has kept us in this fight.” The Australian held off Verstappen to win in Malaysia, a late technique call by the team to stop them under a virtual wellbeing car permitting both to fight to the end on new tires. Before that, Verstappen had been squeezing hard and had the preferred standpoint since his tires were a few laps fresher.
got on Max’s radio as well, I believe. My engineer said: ‘You will race Max, so we’re asking you to bring the cars home but you are allowed to fight.’ It was clear we could keep at it – just nothing silly I guess.
“This is a big moment. When I crossed the line I didn’t know what to do. The celebration felt a bit strange.
“It sunk in pretty quick. I held off Max well – we fought hard and clean and I think the team will respect us for that.”
