Daniel Ricciardo – Photo Credit: Flickr

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia won the Italian Grand Prix in a McLaren one-two at Monza while Formula One title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton took each other out of the race. 

It was McLaren’s first victory since 2012, the last being Jenson Button’s victory in Brazil during November of the same year. It was also Ricciardo’s first win since he was at Red Bull in 2018.

“About time,” smiled the happy 32-year old before performing his trademark ‘Shoey’—glugging the podium champagne from his sweaty boot and sharing it with second-placed team mate Lando Norris and McLaren boss Zak Brown.

“To lead literally from start to finish, I don’t think any of us expected that,” said the Australian. “To not only win but to get a one-two, it’s insane. For McLaren to be on the podium is huge.”

Ricciardo’s other seven wins were all with Red Bull. He had started on the front row and seized the lead from Verstappen at the start. Ricciardo completed his day with a bonus point for quickest lap and was voted as “Driver of the Day” by fans.

“For anyone who thought I’d left, I never left,” the Australian racing driver said over the radio. “I just moved aside for a while.”