Ricciardo fourth and Mercedes seals title

Ricciardo fourth and Mercedes seals title

Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth in the Brazil Grand Prix, which saw Lewis Hamiltion and Mercedes crowned 2018 champions.

Lewis Hamilton’s 10th win of the 2018 Formula 1 season has sealed the constructors’ title for Mecerdes, while Australian Daniel Ricciardo managed to finish fourth in the Brazil Grand Prix.

Despite starting the race in pole, Hamilton dropped behind Ricciardo’s teammate, Max Verstappen, early on. 

Unfortunately the Red Bull pilot was unable to hold onto his lead after colliding with Force India’s Esteban Ocon and spinning out, handing the victory to Hamilton.

With Hamilton already crowned the 2018 drivers’ champion, the victory sealed Mercedes’ fifth constructors’ title, taking them one behind the Michael Schumacher led Ferrari streak of six between 1999 and 2004. 

It’s been an incredible journey with them. This is what everyone worked for, for the whole year,” Hamilton said post-race.

“I’ve always told you how much of an honour it is to drive for them. Today was the best style that we could do it because we were struggling, we had problems to the end. We were a sitting duck at one stage.”

Verstappen ended up finishing the race in second ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Ricciardo.

It was bittersweet day for Ricciardo who managed to cross the line for the first time since Japan but narrowly missing a podium finish.

With eight retirements in 2018, a solid drive from Ricciardo saw him bounce back from 11th following a mechanical grid-penalty, with the Western Australian just happy to finish the race.

“It was fun, for sure, I don’t want this to be another negative interview. It won’t be,” the CAMS ambassador said post-race. 

“As soon as I crossed the line I was quite upset because the podium was so close and we had the pace.

“I don’t have any regrets. I don’t feel I lost the podium or the team lost a podium. I just feel every time I start at the back (of the grid) or we start out of position we have a fast car, so I guess it’s just a bit of built up frustration.

“We surprisingly had a very fast car.”

The 2018 Formula 1 season will hold its final round for the season this month in Abu Dhabi in what will be Ricciardo’s final race for Red Bull.

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