Daniel Ricciardo Wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix Thriller

If you wanted drama in a Formula 1 race, then you certainly got it at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo has produced one of the drives of his career, emerging from as far back as 17th to win the race.

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas came second and Canadian rookie Lance Stroll finished third for Williams.

Mid race penalties left Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton fifth and sixth.

In a GP packed with incidents, the Aussie came through (somewhat) unscathed to ensure the post race "shoey" tasted ever so sweet.

The boy from Perth admitted he never saw the win coming after having to pit on lap 6 to clear some debris from his brakes.

"It was just a crazy race, we knew the podium was a chance after the restart and then we heard about the problems with Lewis and Seb," Ricciardo said.

"Did I think I would win today? Absolutely not."

Ricciardo proves to be King of the castle

Hamilton led for much of the race that was red-flagged on lap 21 to allow officials to clear the street circuit of debris from earlier skirmishes.

The Brit was forced to pit to change his headrest.

On lap 34 Vettel was whacked with a 10-second stop-go penalty for "dangerous driving" - twice he clashed with Hamilton behind the safety car.

When Vettel ducked into the pits, Ricciardo snatched the lead and that's where he remained.

"I said yesterday we had to stay out of trouble and it certainly paid off today," a grinning Daniel told David Coulthard.

"On the cool-down lap, I was just giggling like a little schoolboy."

Canadian teenager Lance Stroll, in his first season for Williams, shared a "shoey" with Ricciardo on the podium but was anything but thrilled saying it would "scar him for life."

"Stroll's first podium so he certainly deserves one... is he old enough to drink?" Ricciardo asked.

The win keeps Ricciardo fourth in the drivers championship while Vettel extends his championship lead over Hamilton to 14 points.