DHL Fastest Lap Award: 2016 FORMULA 1 GERMAN GRAND PRIX

Daniel Ricciardo had a valid reason for the broad grin on his face after the 2016 FORMULA 1 GERMAN GRAND PRIX at Hockenheim: the Red Bull driver had celebrated his 100th start in Formula 1 with a commendable second place and the fastest lap of the race. It was fastest race lap number six of Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career and his second this year (the ‘Honey Badger’ had already been the quickest contestant in the season opener in Australia).

Daniel Ricciardo has cause for satisfaction at the start of the customary F1 summer break, having claimed the runner-up spot in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. With Max Verstappen finishing third, Red Bull also celebrated their first double podium of 2016.

Daniel Ricciardo crowned this achievement with the fastest race lap of the 2016 FORMULA 1 GERMAN GRAND PRIX. On Lap 48, the Australian set a fastest time of 01:18.442 minutes, equivalent to an average speed of 209.918 kilometers per hour. Sebastian Vettel was the second fastest driver at Hockenheim, also on Lap 48, with a time of 01:18.710 minutes – more than two tenths slower than Ricciardo. Race winner Lewis Hamilton was third fastest on Lap 52 with a time of 01:18.746 minutes.

At the start of the race, Daniel Ricciardo managed to get past Nico Rosberg, but in doing so was himself overtaken by team-mate Max Verstappen, the net outcome being that he retained his grid position of third. After the second series of pit stops, however, both Red Bull drivers were back behind Rosberg. It was the choice of tires which ultimately made the difference in the third stint: whereas the Australian opted for super softs, Rosberg and Verstappen chose the soft compound. Ricciardo quickly closed the gap, passing Verstappen on Lap 40 and overtaking Rosberg too on Lap 44 after the German driver was obliged to serve a five-second penalty on his pit stop.

“Two podiums in a row within the space of a week – that’s very refreshing,” said Daniel Ricciardo. “It’s the first double podium for Red Bull so far this season. A great way to wrap up before the summer break. My dad was here, and I also saw a few Australian flags for my 100th race.”

To celebrate the occasion, Daniel Ricciardo indulged in sip of champagne from his shoe on the podium. “It’s an Australian thing,” he said, explaining the ritual. “It’s called a ‘shoey’. I thought, it’s my 100th race and I’m standing here on the podium. And in case I don’t win any more races this year, I’d better do my ‘shoey’ now and make my fellow countrymen proud.”

Fastest race laps: 2016 FORMULA 1 GERMAN GRAND PRIX

01 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 01:18.442 - on Lap 48
02 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 01:18.710 - on Lap 48
03 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 01:18.746 - on Lap 52
04 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 01:18.910 - on Lap 47
05 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 01:19.122 - on Lap 51
06 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 01:19.572 - on Lap 36
07 Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 01:19.585 - on Lap 51
08 Sergio Pérez (Force India) 01:19.606 - on Lap 46
09 Jenson Button (McLaren) 01:19.781 - on Lap 48
10 Esteban Gutiérrez (Haas) 01:19.883 - on Lap 56