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While he didn’t add to his winning F1 tally, Daniel Ricciardo produced a standout rear-guard in the Chinese Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver was forced to fight his way through the field when a left rear puncture, while leading the race, saw him plummet to 18th position.
Unleashing some grandstand passing manoeuvres saw Ricciardo climb back to take the chequered flag in fourth position.
Down on horsepower compared to his Mercedes and Ferrari powered rivals, the Australian managed to haul the Red Bull up the order with a series of smart and well judged moves, maximising the low downforce set-up.
One of several highlights saw him pass world champion Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the race as he continued his climb up the order.
Ricciardo was moved to brand the drive as ‘probably the best of his career’.
The Perth product has produced a number of outstanding performances in F1, which include drives to three grand prix wins in 2014.
His maiden triumph came at the Canadian Grand Prix when the Australian picked his way through from sixth on the grid, before taking advantage of Nico Rosberg’s wounded Mercedes to take the chequered flag.
The Hungarian Grand Prix of that year saw Ricciardo claim his second win as he successfully navigated a damp track and two Safety Car periods.
Having led early on from fourth on the grid, he executed a perfect strategy, making use of fresher tyres, to pass Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in the final laps.
His last victory at the Belgian Grand Prix is arguably his most dominant drive in an F1 car.
Ricciardo assumed the lead following a controversial clash between Mercedes rivals Hamilton and Rosberg on the second lap.
Once in front, Ricciardo controlled the race to claim a relatively comfortable victory.
While the victories will be classed among his best F1 drives, fighting efforts to claim second at the Singapore Grand Prix and third at the Hungarian Grand Prix last year are also up there with Ricciardo’s most polished exploits.
Was Daniel Ricciardo’s Chinese Grand Prix drive the best of his F1 career?
Cast your vote on this week’s Pirtek Poll.
