A victorious Nico Rosberg of Mercedes took home honours at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix while Australian Red Bull debutant Daniel Ricciardo was stripped of a podium finish.
Ricciardo was to become the first Aussie to achieve a podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix when he finished second, 24 seconds behind Rosberg, however officials announced four hours after the race that the 24-year-old had been disqualified for exceeding the maximum allowance for fuel use.
New Formula 1 rules permit no more than 100kg of fuel an hour. Red Bull are to contest the decision.
Lewis Hamilton Steals Pole Position Ahead Of Daniel Ricciardo At Australian Grand Prix
“Wow, to be the first Aussie on the Aussie podium. I am just speechless,” said Ricciardo of the accomplishment before learning of the decision.
“I’m tripping balls. This has been a remarkable turnaround by the team from a few weeks ago and I am lost for words.”
Ricciardo’s disqualification saw another rookie, McLaren’s Kevin Magnussen, bumped up to second and teammate Jenson Button to third.
Rosberg, starting from third position, didn’t wait long to get things started, overtaking both Ricciardo and pole starter and teammate Lewis Hamilton in the opening lap.
The German’s run was advanced by early retirements to Hamilton and four-time world champ Sebastian Vettel. A crash on the opening lap involving Caterham’s Kamui Kobayashi and Williams’ Felipe Massa also saw two experienced drivers make early exits.
Rosberg led by comfortable 14 seconds at the 32-lap mark before eventually cruising to an easy win ahead of the rest of the field.
Ricciardo made an aggressive push at Rosberg on the 20th lap while behind just five seconds and later showed impressive poise to hold off Magnussen when the McLaren driver cut the Aussies’ second placed lead down to just 1.1 second in the 49th lap.
The F1 season continues in Malaysia on March 30.
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Photo: Anadolu Group/Getty Images
