Daniel Ricciardo has lost seventh-place finish after being given a 10-second penalty for the final lap fracas at the French Grand Prix.
The Australian had been closing down a wounded Lando Norris in the closing laps at Paul Ricard and would finally catch the McLaren thanks to a Virtual Safety Car.
Using DRS, he tried a bold move around the outside into the Turn 8-9 chicane but would just run off the track having carried too much speed.
As he rejoined, that pushed Norris off at the following corner with the stewards deeming that as one five-second penalty for unsafe re-entry.
At the same time, Kimi Raikkonen and Nico Hulkenberg closed in with the Finn capitalising to move ahead of both drivers on the exit of Turn 9.
Ricciardo would respond though going all four wheels off track on the inside to pass the Alfa Romeo into Turn 10, with the stewards giving the Renault driver a second penalty for gaining the advantage.
The result means Ricciardo drops to P11 outside the points and Raikkonen inheriting the seventh place.
Teammate Nico Hulkenberg secured some points for the French manufacturer in eighth ahead of Norris in ninth and Pierre Gasly sneaking the final point in P10.
“I did all I could to stay on the track, but with this new surface as well, you can see there’s a shiny line which is full of grip, anything off that is literally like marbles,” Ricciardo explained.
“I was trying to do my best to stay on. To be honest, for the team I really hope we keep the points, but for my side, I’m glad I tried, I have no regrets whatever happens.
“It’s the last lap, it’s a position and it’s never my style to sit back and be the conservative one in battle.”
Also Read:
Upon hearing the penalty, the 29-year-old fired off several tweets clearly stating his unhappiness.
“No regrets, I tried. I’d rather that than sit back without a heart,” he said.
I am at threat of a Twitter rant, but I’ll save it. Hope everyone was entertained.”