Daniel Ricciardo finishes a disappointing 11th at the Dutch Formula One Grand Prix, Max Verstappen wins
Daniel Ricciardo has struggled to a disappointing 11th place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, with mechanical issues making for a long afternoon.
The Australian started 10th and ran in 9th spot early on, but couldn't maintain that pace, dropping out of the points late in the race.
He finished behind his teammate Lando Norris, who had started 13th.
Ricciardo's issues began even before the lights went out.
"He was in a bit of a flap I think at the beginning, quite literally waving his arms around," former F1 driver Anthony Davidson said on Sky Sports after the race.
Daniel Ricciardo finished 11th at the Dutch Grand Prix. Getty
"He couldn't get into first gear. He's ready to abort the start here and it's just seconds away from the lights going on.
"He finally gets into first (gear) but he's got this message on the steering wheel.
"Anyway, the lights are just about to come on and he can then compose himself get back into business.
"But that was a pretty scary moment for Daniel, he felt quite alone there I should imagine.
"Real tense times at the start as you can imagine."
Former world champion Nico Rosberg said it was another disappointing result for the Australia, who has yet to finish on the podium in 2021.
Max Verstappen won the Dutch Grand Prix in front of a huge home crowd. Getty
"Strange one for Daniel," he said on Sky Sports.
"It's a big setback because he started so strongly in qualifying and then Q3, something wasn't going well, his tyres set or whatever so he was only 10th.
"Then in the race, he just dropped back and back. So yeah, that's a disappointing one, especially with Lando coming back again so strongly."
Ricciardo said after the race he struggled with a clutch issue at the start, but admitted he "struggled" through the race.
Max Verstappen celebrates his win at the Dutch Grand Prix. Getty
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen scored a popular home win, leading home Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
Verstappen now has a three point lead in the championship, with nine races remaining.
"Incredible feeling, of course, to win in front of the fans, because the king was watching with the royal family," Verstappen said. "Just an amazing day."
"The expectations were high and it's never easy to fulfil that.
"But I'm so happy to win here and to take the lead as well in the championship. It's just an amazing day with the whole crowd."
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