Bullish: Daniel Ricciardo leads Red Bull Malaysian Grand Prix one-two as Lewis Hamilton retires
Max Verstappen finishes second with Nico Rosberg finished third, despite collecting a 10-second time penalty after colliding with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo claimed his maiden Formula One win of the season in Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix after reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton retired from the lead with a blown engine.
The Australian’s teammate Max Verstappen finished second to score the former champions’ first one-two finish since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix, denying Mercedes the chance to wrap up the constructors’ title at the Sepang circuit.
Nico Rosberg finished third, despite collecting a 10-second time penalty after colliding with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, to extend his gap over Hamilton to 23 points in the overall standings.
“It was a race of challenges, Lewis got the lead and had his problems. I am not one for believing in a whole lot, but it went the other way in Monaco, and I will take this today,” said Ricciardo.
“It has been two years since the last win, and it has been a bit emotional. We have come so close but I said two weeks ago we would win one and we did.”
Hamilton was leading with 15 laps to go when his engine exploded. “No, no,” cried the Englishman as flames appeared at the back of his car.
Watch: Lewis Hamilton retires from Malaysian Grand Prix
“My question is to Mercedes. We have so many engines made for drivers, but mine are the only ones failing this year,” Hamilton told the BBC.
“Someone need to give me some answers because this is not acceptable. We are fighting for the championship and only my engines are failing. It does not sit right with me.
“I will try and recollect myself and try to get myself together for the race next week. There are many decisive races, but this is one of those. Someone doesn’t want me to win this year, but I won’t give up. I will keep pushing.”
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 Sebastian Vettel on the first bend.
Vettel was forced to retire with a broken front suspension in the incident that also involved Verstappen.
Hamilton had got away cleanly form pole position and sped off into the distance, clear of the trouble behind him.
He looked to be heading for a comfortable win until his engine let go in the most spectacular fashion.
“I thought the race was all over, so I am really happy to fight back all the way to the podium,” said Rosberg.
“I wished for a better day, but that is the way it goes sometimes. I feel tired after the race, but it is a good moment in general, and I look forward to the next one.”
