A few drivers have captured the hearts of fans quite like Daniel Ricciardo. Known for his beaming smile, daring overtakes, and infectious personality, the Australian driver has become one of the sport’s most beloved figures. With an impressive 257 race starts to his name, Ricciardo has established himself as a seasoned veteran of the track, consistently demonstrating his skill and determination across multiple teams and eras of the sport.
Throughout his career, Ricciardo has proven himself to be a formidable qualifier and race performer. His three pole positions showcase his ability to extract maximum performance from his car when it matters most, often outpacing more fancied rivals. But it’s on race day when Ricciardo truly shines. With 32 podium finishes to his name, he has demonstrated time and again his ability to fight at the sharp end of the grid, delivering results that typically exceed the expectations of his machinery.
What set Ricciardo apart, however, is not just his statistical achievements, but the manner in which he’s secured them. Known for his late-braking overtakes and ability to capitalise on chaotic race situations, Ricciardo has earned a reputation as one of Formula 1’s most exciting and unpredictable drivers. His wins, while not as numerous as some of his contemporaries, have often come in the most thrilling and unexpected circumstances, cementing his status as a fan favourite and earning him the nickname “The Honey Badger” for his fearless approach to racing.
Ricciardo’s race wins have always stood out, not just because of the result but due to the extraordinary circumstances of them. None of his victories have been straightforward, and ranking them is no easy feat. Nevertheless, here is a detailed look at eight of Daniel Ricciardo’s best Grand Prix wins, starting from a great win to arguably his finest performance.
8. Malaysia 2016: A hard-fought, unexpected victory
Ricciardo’s win at the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix came after a long wait for victory and was particularly emotional for the Australian. Lewis Hamilton’s engine failure handed Ricciardo the lead, but it was far from a straightforward win. Earlier in the race, Ricciardo had to fend off a fierce attack from his teammate Max Verstappen, with the two Red Bull drivers engaged in a thrilling battle for several laps.
Ricciardo’s victory was Red Bull’s first 1-2 finish in three years and a sweet moment of redemption after a string of near-misses earlier in the season. His celebration—drinking champagne from his race boot—became iconic and a reflection of Ricciardo’s fun-loving personality. However, beneath the charm was a driver who had fought hard for the win and deserved every bit of the success that came his way in Malaysia.
7. Spa-Francorchamps 2014: Capitalising on the Mercedes’s colliding
Ricciardo’s win at Spa in 2014 was another race defined by drama involving the Mercedes drivers. A first-lap collision between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton damaged both cars, allowing Ricciardo to move up from fifth on the grid. Once he took the lead following the first round of pit stops, Ricciardo controlled the race masterfully, keeping Rosberg at bay despite the German’s pace advantage.
Despite Rosberg’s late charge, Ricciardo kept calm and managed his tyres to hold off the German and win by a margin of 3.3 seconds.
The win was Ricciardo’s third of the season and solidified his status as the only non-Mercedes driver able to consistently challenge for victories in 2014.
6. Monza 2021: The papaya dream
Ricciardo’s win at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix was a fairy-tale moment, not just for him but for McLaren. After a tough start to his tenure with the team, Ricciardo found himself at the front of the grid after passing Max Verstappen at the start. The race took a dramatic turn when Verstappen and Hamilton collided and took each other out of contention, clearing the path for Ricciardo to lead a McLaren 1-2 finish.
This victory was McLaren’s first win since 2012 and Ricciardo’s first since leaving Red Bull. After several difficult seasons, it was a hugely emotional win for both driver and team. Ricciardo managed the race to perfection, holding off his teammate Lando Norris and showing that, even after a challenging period, he still could deliver at the highest level.
The famous “shoey” celebration returned, and the win reminded the world of Ricciardo’s immense talent. His return to the top step of the podium was a story of perseverance, as Ricciardo proved that his days of winning were far from over.
5. Baku 2017: The king of chaos
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix of 2017 was one of the most chaotic races of the modern era, and Ricciardo capitalised on the mayhem to take a surprise victory. Starting from tenth after a difficult qualifying session, Ricciardo’s chances of victory seemed slim, but the race was turned on its head by several incidents involving the leading drivers.
The most notable of these was the collision between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, with Vettel receiving a penalty for running into the back of Hamilton under the safety car. Hamilton also had to pit for a loose headrest, taking him out of contention for the win. Ricciardo, who had fallen to 17th early in the race, made a stunning comeback, pulling off a breathtaking triple overtake on the two Williams cars and Nico Hulkenberg.
As the race drew to a close, Ricciardo found himself in the lead and took full advantage of the opportunity to win his fifth Grand Prix. It was a testament to his ability to keep a cool head in a race filled with drama, and his opportunism on the streets of Baku once again showcased his skills.
4. Monaco 2018: Redemption on the streets of Monte Carlo
Ricciardo’s win at Monaco in 2018 was perhaps the most satisfying of his career. Having been denied a victory in Monte Carlo two years earlier due to a botched pit stop, Ricciardo was determined to make amends. He dominated the weekend, taking pole position in qualifying and controlling the race from the start. However, halfway through the race, disaster struck when he experienced a power unit issue, losing 25% of his car’s power.
Despite the mechanical difficulties, Ricciardo managed to hold off Sebastian Vettel in a stunning display of defensive driving. For over 50 laps, he nursed his wounded car around the narrow streets of Monaco, ensuring that he didn’t make a single mistake. It was a display of incredible skill and determination, and crossing the line first felt like redemption for his 2016 heartbreak.
As Ricciardo later said, this win felt even more special because it was earned under the most challenging of circumstances. To win in Monaco with a car that wasn’t fully operational is a feat that few drivers can claim.
3. Hungary 2014: Typical Ricciardo
Just a few months after his first win, Ricciardo demonstrated his overtaking prowess once again at the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix. Starting fourth on the grid, the race was anything but straightforward, with changing weather conditions, safety cars, and tyre strategy playing a major role. Ricciardo found himself in a tight battle with Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the race.
In classic Ricciardo fashion, he waited for his moment, overtaking Hamilton with a bold move into Turn 1 and then passing Alonso with just three laps remaining to secure his second career victory. His ability to manage his tyres and remain patient in chaotic conditions showed his growing maturity as a driver. The victory in Hungary cemented Ricciardo’s reputation as one of the most clinical overtakers in the sport, particularly under pressure.
2. Canada 2014: The maiden win
Ricciardo’s maiden Formula 1 win came at the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix, and it was the beginning of his rise as one of the most exciting drivers on the grid. The race was full of drama, with Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg dominating the early stages. However, mechanical issues struck both drivers, with Hamilton retiring due to brake failure and Rosberg experiencing power problems. This opened the door for Ricciardo to take advantage.
Starting from sixth on the grid, Ricciardo steadily worked his way through the field, saving his car’s performance for the crucial final stages of the race. His patience paid off when he passed Sergio Pérez for second place with just five laps to go and then made a late overtake on Rosberg to take the lead. It was a well-deserved victory for Ricciardo, who had shown great race craft throughout the season and finally broke through for his first win.
The significance of this win extended beyond just the victory itself—it marked Ricciardo’s arrival as a serious contender in Formula 1. It also provided Red Bull Racing with a much-needed boost, as the team had been struggling to keep up with Mercedes in the new turbo-hybrid era.
1. Shanghai 2018: What DR3 was made of
Daniel Ricciardo’s victory at the 2018 Chinese Grand Prix is widely considered the peak of his career, epitomising his renowned race craft and fearless overtaking. The weekend began with an engine failure during practice that almost saw him miss qualifying. In a last-minute dash, his Red Bull team managed to change the engine just in time, allowing Ricciardo to qualify in sixth place.
The race itself was marked by intense battles between Ferrari and Mercedes, with Ricciardo initially running in sixth. However, the race turned on its head when a collision between the two Toro Rossos brought out a safety car on lap 31. Red Bull made a crucial decision to pit Ricciardo for fresh soft tyres, while the front-runners stayed out on older mediums. This strategy set the stage for one of Ricciardo’s most memorable drives.
Ricciardo began his charge through the field, showcasing his signature late-braking overtakes. He passed Kimi Räikkönen with a perfectly timed dive at the hairpin and made an audacious move on Lewis Hamilton at Turn 14. But the defining moment came when Ricciardo overtook race leader Valtteri Bottas at Turn 6. Finding the smallest of gaps, Ricciardo squeezed his car past Bottas, securing the lead in a move that perfectly demonstrated his fearlessness.
Crossing the line for his sixth career win, Ricciardo’s victory in China was a masterclass in opportunism and strategy. His post-race comment summed up his approach: “Sometimes you’ve just got to lick the stamp and send it.” This triumph is rightly considered Ricciardo’s finest, earning the top spot in his career victories.
These victories not only represent personal triumphs for Ricciardo but also significant moments in Formula 1 history. His wins have often broken droughts for teams like Red Bull and McLaren, injecting excitement into the sport and challenging the dominance of top teams.
As Ricciardo’s career may have been put to a halt right now, these wins stand as a testament to his status as one of the most exciting and skilled drivers of his generation. His ability to perform under pressure, coupled with his infectious personality, has cemented his place as a fan favourite and a respected competitor in the world of Formula 1.
While the future of the Australian driver is unknown, these eight Grand Prix wins will always be remembered as defining moments in the career of Daniel Ricciardo, the smiling assassin of Formula 1.
