Daniel Ricciardo may have swapped podiums and title fights with Red Bull for points scraps in the midfield with Renault last year, but the Aussie star is still very much the X-Factor any Formula 1 team would be lucky to have; a fact he just reminded the grid of at the Nürburgring on Sunday.
It may have taken a few engine failures, a shock Valtteri Bottas retirement, and the pile-on of Ferrari’s whole year of failure, but Ricciardo has walked away from the Eifel Grand Prix with his 30th career podium in Formula 1. It was his first with French team Renault.
The Aussie grid star, now 31, was so excited he forgot his signature ‘shoey’ celebration.
The P3 finish in Germany is a moment of elation for Ricciardo, who last stepped onto the podium all the way back in 2018, when he won the Monaco Grand Prix. It’s proven something too: Danny Ric is still one of the best drivers on the modern grid. He’s a key ingredient to Formula 1 success.
Daniel Ricciardo did get a bit of luck, of course — what race doesn’t have a few variables?
The best Formula 1 superstars are the ones that can take full advantage of the mistakes across the field, and the spluttering engines. Lewis Hamilton did the same; Bottas dropped out, and Hamilton made F1 history with his Eifel win.
And Ricciardo, who qualified sixth at the Nürburgring, took full advantage of similar situations to return to the podium. McLaren will be licking their lips at the thought of the Aussie in orange next season.
The third-place finish boosts Ricciardo up to fourth in the driver’s championship standings too. Danny (78) is a long way off the top three of Hamilton (230), Bottas (161), and former teammate Max Verstappen (147), but he’s in the mix.
Chasing behind is Sergio Perez (68), who Ricciardo beat by 1.4 seconds to claim the Eifel podium, and the Aussie’s future wingman Lando Norris (65). Alexander Albon lurks in seventh with 64.
In a season where no one expected Renault to compete, Danny Ric is flying in the standings.
And it’s not over yet: “When I signed on the dotted line for this Renault contract it was to be up here and get a podium by year two. Obviously, next year is another story… but I think this really does cap a pretty cool story we’ve had and shared for these two years. And… it’s not over yet.”
Daniel Ricciardo admitted his P3 placement felt like “the first podium all over again,” and was a “really happy shock” after a tumultuous two years in yellow.
So, the lone Australian on the Formula 1 grid has again proved he’s worth his weight in gold. When he pairs with British youngster Norris next season, McLaren may well become a contender again.
For now, though, Ricciardo has his eyes on the remainder of his 2020 season; there’s still six races left.
The 31-year-old did give himself a quiet moment to celebrate though. How did he do it? Well, with the forgotten ‘shoey,’ of course, chugged in his prep room: “Better late than never… mother’s milk.”
