Daniel Ricciardo picked up his first win of the year in a thrilling Malaysian Grand Prix.
The smiling Australian led home his team mate Max Verstappen to take Red Bull Racing’s first one-two finish since the final race of the 2013 season. Ricciardo and Verstappen were going wheel-to-wheel for second place when Lewis Hamilton’s engine blew up dramatically, moving the Red Bull Racing duo into the top positions.
Mercedes were looking to secure the Constructors’ Championship in Malaysia but a maximum points haul for Red Bull Racing ensures the battle continues on to the next race. Nico Rosberg meanwhile extended his Drivers’ Championship lead which seemed unthinkable when he was facing the wrong way into turn one after contact with Sebastian Vettel.
But the German’s third place and Hamilton’s retirement means he now leads the standings by 23 points.