F1 2021: Daniel Ricciardo Italian Grand Prix win, Valtteri Bottas celebration, press conference

Australian Daniel Ricciardo overlooked one thing in his wild victory celebrations at the Italian Grand Prix and he is not happy.

In the euphoria of his drought-breaking Grand Prix victory in Italy on Monday morning, Daniel Ricciardo still has one regret.

His win at the famed Monza circuit breathed life back into his career after fears he was in a downwards spiral earlier this year.

The Australian started from second on the grid and passed championship leader Max Verstappen on the first lap and never looked back.

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It had been 1204 days in between Grand Prix victories for the 32-year-old and more than 3200 days since a McLaren driver stood on the top of the podium. It was also the team’s first 1-2 finish since the Canadian Grand Prix in 2010.

Ricciardo, teammate Lando Norris and chief executive Zak Brown let all their emotions go during the trophy presentations, which included the West-Australian producing another trademark “shoey” celebration, downing champagne from his stinky racing boots.

Caught up in the moment, Ricciardo missed an opportunity to tempt Mercedes star Valtteri Bottas into his own “shoey” — and the former Red Bull and Renault driver was not happy with himself.

Bottas, who was standing on third spot on the podium after impressively driving through the field on Monday morning (AEST) was happy to have stayed out of Ricciardo’s way during the celebrations.

Ricciardo only learned Bottas was able to avoid the unsanitary act in the press conference that followed and said he was “gutted”, as reported by F1 journalist Chris Medland.

It was the only thing that got anywhere near raining on Ricciardo on his special day.

Bottas’ hiding skills were one of several comical stories to emerge after Ricciardo’s victory, including:

— Brown making good on his bet with Ricciardo, promising to give his driver a run in his personal 1984 Wrangler Chevrolet — a car made famous by NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt — after Ricciardo successfully scored a podium finish for the team

— Ricciardo being spotted completing his final media commitments hours after the race still walking around in his socks; and

— Ricciardo revealing he stayed up late the night before the race to watch British teen sensation Emma Raducanu win the US Open final. Ricciardo is Raducanu’s favourite driver and is one of the 25 people she follows on Twitter.

Ricciardo’s stunning victory may have been overshadowed somewhat by the scary moment Max Verstappen’s Red Bull flew over the top of Lewis Hamilton’s head, but there was no denying him his big day.

“He’s been faultless out front and worked the restarts really well,” Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle said.

In the end, Ricciardo led from the first corner to the end of the race and he screamed in jubilation when he crossed the finish line first as the chequered flag was waved.

“Deep down I knew this was gonna come,” he said after claiming victory. “So thanks … thanks for having my back. And for anyone who thought I left, I never left. I just moved aside for a while. Thanks guys.”

He was ecstatic to claim the win in an exciting race and finally produce his best form.

“Can I swear? I want to swear,” he said. “About f***ing time.

“To be honest even if we got the start it was never a guarantee we’d lead the whole race, but was able to hold first out front (in) the first stint.

“There was safety cars, there was this and that but to lead literally from start to finish, I don’t think any of us expected that.

“There was something in me on Friday, I knew something good was to come.”

Ricciardo couldn’t believe he’d won a Grand Prix after struggling so much during the first half of the year.

“I’ve just been a sandbagging S.O.B. the whole year,” he joked. “I mean thirds, fourths, fifths, you might as well just win, so that’s what I did!

“Honestly, the August break was good just to reset so I felt better the last three weekends,” he added.

“To not only win but to get a one-two, it’s insane. For McLaren to be on the podium, it’s huge, let alone one-two.”

Emotional Ricciardo reflects on awesome achievement

Ricciardo was emotional when describing what the win meant to him, especially after struggling in his first season at McLaren, which he has described the “most challenging” year of his career.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t think it’s actually sunk in yet,” he said after the race.

“It’s actually probably the first time I’ve been overwhelmed by winning. I think as well because it’s been like over three years or something.

“I just know that no one would have predicted this to happen this year, especially after the first half of the year.”

The Perth native said he has experienced significant adversity this year but to overcome it makes the victory in Italy even sweeter.

“It’s easy to lose confidence and kind of lose your way but I think that’s just where perspective and everything comes to fruition and just knowing deep within yourself that it can happen and just never doubt yourself,” he said.

“I think if you truly love something and believe in it, then never doubt yourself. Some of the speed bumps along the way make moments like this so much sweeter.

“I’m just grateful I still have a chip on my shoulder. I don’t know, I’m just feeling everything right now.

“I’m not just saying it today because I’m here soaking in the glory, at times it’s been the most challenging year for me, not that I’ve shied away from that.

“If anything, I’ve enjoyed the adversity and the feelings that I’ve had internally because it’s kind of made me understand who I am a bit more as a person and a competitor. I definitely embraced it, but for sure there’s definitely been some low points.”

Ricciardo was close to tears speaking about how hard it has been not seeing his family due to the pandemic.

“Then you have on top of that, like not seeing mum and dad for freaking over a year,” he said.

“I’m very close to family, I’m a very affectionate person and sometimes there’s nothing you want more than just a cuddle from mum and dad and a little pad on the back.

“That’s made the hard days harder but I think it also helped me get to this point.”

Italian Grand Prix results

1. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)

2. Lando Norris (McLaren

3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

6. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

7. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

8. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)

9. George Russell (Williams)

10. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

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