Daniel Ricciardo’s race is RUINED from the start while Oscar Piastri is left frustrated at cruel podium miss in shocking Canadian GP for Aussies

Daniel Ricciardo’s hopes were dashed from the start, while compatriot Oscar Piastri was left to ponder what could have happened in dramatic scenes at the Canadian GP.

Max Verstappen took victory at the Canadian Grand Prix on a rainy Monday (AEST) at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. While the victory brought joy to Red Bull and Verstappen, it was a day of disappointment for Ricciardo.

It has been an eventful build-up to the Canadian GP, ​​with ex-champion Jacques Villeneuve questioning why Ricciardo is still in F1 and declaring that his image ultimately saved his career in a savage tirade on live television.

While interviewed by Sky Sports in Montreal on Sunday morning, Ricciardo explained that he had just heard of the F1 great’s scathing comments after delivering a qualifying masterclass to start fifth on the grid on Sunday.

Ricciardo was awarded a controversial penalty on the grid during the Canadian GP in Montreal

Despite being pushed back from P5 to P12 by the penalty and a shocking first lap, Ricciardo rallied to finish eighth

“I don’t give them the time of day. But yeah, top five, I’ve been fast all weekend. We are less than two-tenths from pole,” he said.

“So, eat the damn thing.”

But it all quickly went pear-shaped for the Aussie in torrid conditions at Gilles Villeneuve.

After starting fifth in his brilliant qualifying, Daniel Ricciardo had a nightmare on the first lap. He made a very small false start and lost four places, before dropping to ninth in the opening corners in wet conditions.

However, as the replays rolled, fans were not convinced that the penalty imposed was justified as Ricciardo did not appear to move.

“Did he?” Martin Brundle told Sky Sports as he watched the replay.

Ted Kravitz added, “I have to say it was like the lights went out and then he started moving.”

Ricciardo was given a five-second penalty for the infringement, which dropped him to 12th after pit stops, but he fought back strongly to finish eighth, three places behind compatriot Oscar Piastri.

Piastri had his own frustrations, missing out on his first visit to a Formula 1 racing stage this season. The Australian left wondering what would have happened after Max Verstappen raced to a hard-earned victory in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri battled the Ferraris all day and just missed out on a podium finish on a frustrating day for the Australian

The wet conditions in Montreal made it tough for all drivers, including the Aussies

Red Bull’s Dutch maestro Verstappen had to hold off Piastri’s McLaren teammate Lando Norris in a dramatic conclusion to Sunday’s race at Imola, winning by just 0.725 seconds at the checkered flag.

Piastri, who eventually finished fourth after a frustrating day trying to get past a few Ferraris, must have wondered what he could have achieved if he had been able to get a clear lead over Verstappen.

Unfortunately for the Melburnian, he never got the chance after having to start fifth on the grid following his penalty from the stewards following his brilliant second place in qualifying on Saturday.

Piastri, who was relegated for hindering Kevin Magnussen’s Haas in qualifying, had been faster than Norris all weekend, yet his England teammate almost followed up his first win in Miami with a late attack on Sunday.

“I think it showed that we can definitely take the fight to them,” Piastri said, putting aside any personal disappointment.

It was a familiar story, however, as Verstappen recorded his fifth victory in seven races this season, the 59th of his career and a third in a row at Imola.

‘I had no control anymore. I was sliding a lot. I saw Lando coming closer. The last ten laps went without a hitch,” said a relieved Verstappen, who seemed on his way to another easy victory, but ultimately had to sweat for the spoils as Norris closed in.

‘It’s difficult when the tires no longer work and you have to go all out. I couldn’t afford to make too many mistakes. Luckily not.’