Daniel Ricciardo has recorded his fifth consecutive Formula 1 podium after resisting intense pressure late in the Austrian Grand Prix.
A hard-charging Lewis Hamilton threatened to deny the Ricciardo the final step of the podium, however the Australian put up a staunch defence to maintain the place.
“It got pretty close, but I just stuck to my braking points and where I thought the limit was and held off,” Ricciardo explained.
“I think the second last lap was the tightest. He got the DRS and he got a good exit out of one, mine wasn’t so good.”
Having closed on Ricciardo in the run out of the first turn, Hamilton then used DRS to get alongside the Red Bull heading into turn four.
Ricciardo though was desperate to hang on to the place, taking the inside line to maintain the position as Hamilton ran out of road on the outside of the corner.
“I wasn’t going to brake if I didn’t need to! I believe it was clean and fair, so that’s good.
“He got close, but it’s nice to hold him off and I was very pleased to see the chequered flag.”
A strong move on Kimi Raikkonen on the first lap laid the foundations for Ricciardo’s race.
Getting away from the line well, an aggressive opening corner paved the way for the Red Bull driver to complete a move on Raikkonen at turn three for third.
He then enjoyed a comparatively uneventful race until the final laps, when a late charge from Hamilton saw the pair scrapping for the final podium place.
Emerging on top in that battle ensured Ricciardo scored his fifth consecutive Formula 1 podium, the milestone coming on Red Bull’s home circuit.
Ricciardo now has 107 points in the driver’s championship and sits a comfortable fourth in the standings – more than double that of team-mate Max Verstappen who recorded his fifth retirement in seven races.
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