Whilst the entire Red Bull Racing garage were seen to be celebrating Max Verstappen’s historic maiden win, his new team-mate was left wondering what-if?
Daniel Ricciardo has now watched on as Daniil Kvyat was unceremoniously dumped by the team, just one race after standing on the podium.
He’s then watched on as 18-year-old Max Verstappen has been promoted from sister team Toro Rosso and then had a race which was in his hands, snatched away from him and handed to his team-mate.
Ricciardo was in control of the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Australian had taken the lead following the crash between Mercedes duelling duo of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
But Red Bull’s decision to split their strategy, with Ricciardo on a three-stop race and Verstappen on a two-stop handed the young Dutchman the victory.
‘We were leading, it was there for us, Mercedes had their mistakes on Lap 1 and the race was in our hands. And we went to three-stop strategy, and did it too late as well – Seb [Vettel] already jumped us. formula1.com.
Ricciardo tried his best to get back past the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel, but despite briefly on the exit of turn 1, only to go too deep and Vettel to get back past, he couldn’t.
‘I had to pass three cars when we know we are down on speed and it is a hard track to pass.
‘I thought at the time we were doing it because everyone else was – it didn’t make sense, I thought that at the time. It’s frustrating – normally the guy in the lead gets the better strategy.
‘I think we just threw the win away.
Red Bull threw Ricciardo’s win away
