Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo has described the Hungarian Grand Prix as a “crazy race” in which he collided with two other drivers before taking out third place.
German Sebastian Vettel won Sunday’s event, delivering an emotional high-speed tribute to his late French colleague Jules Bianchi as he stormed to victory for Ferrari.
Bianchi died on July 17 from injuries sustained when he collided with a recovery vehicle in torrential rain at last October’s Japanese Grand Prix.
The Red Bull pair of Russian Daniil Kvyat and Ricciardo finished in second and third on Sunday.
Ricciardo, who won the race last year, survived collisions with Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
“It was a crazy race. I had a contact at the restart with Lewis and thought my race might be over. I had contact with Nico and thought my race was over,” he said.
“It really was a good race,” said the beaming Australian.
“I came into it knowing the whole week has been so up and down for everyone.
“Once we got over the emotional side of what’s happened, I put it behind me and I think Jules (Bianchi) and his family would have wanted to see a fascinating race – all of us drivers putting everything on the line. We all share that passion.
“I definitely did that today. I left a heavy heart out on the track, I made some moves and took risks, and put it all on the line.
“I definitely have no regrets about the outcome. I’m really proud of my approach to the race and how the whole weekend went.
“It was definitely dedicated to Jules and his family, but also a part of that is for the team. It’s been a long time coming.”
Ricciardo banged wheels with the Williams of Finn Valtteri Bottas at the first corner, but his car was undamaged until his collision with defending world champion Hamilton’s Mercedes.
And he needed a new front wing when he collided with German Nico Rosberg’s car in the closing laps.
“I guess it ruined both of our chances of a win,” he said. “Again, I don’t regret going for that move. It was my only chance of victory.
“I thought the move was clean, but I guess he thought he had more room on the exit, and that was it.”
