9 Jun 2014

Aussie Ricciardo wins Canadian Grand Prix

11:53 am on 9 June 2014

Australian Daniel Ricciardo ended Mercedes' early-season domination when he drove his Red Bull to a maiden victory in a crash and incident-packed Canadian Formula One Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old took full advantage of power problems that hit both championship leader Nico Rosberg and his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages to claim the win in Montreal.

Briton Hamilton was forced to retire, but German Rosberg managed to nurse his car home in second place ahead of Ricciardo's Red Bull teammate and defending four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany.

Rosberg opens up a 22-point lead on Hamilton in the championship standings.

The final lap was run behind a safety car after a high-speed collision between Mexican Sergio Perez of Force India and Brazilian Felipe Massa of Williams resulted in them flying off into the barriers.

Ricciardo's win means he's now beaten Vettel in the last five races.

Briton Jenson Button came home fourth for McLaren ahead of fifth-placed German Nico Hulkenberg in the second Force India with two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso sixth for Ferrari.

In the drivers' title race, Rosberg now leads with 140 points ahead of Hamilton on 118 and Ricciardo on 79.