'Can't believe it': Daniel Ricciardo soars in 'crazy' Emilia Romagna GP

Daniel Ricciado has secured his second F1 podium in three races, finishing third at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Mercedes became the first team to win seven successive constructors' titles on Sunday as Lewis Hamilton celebrated a record-extending 93rd career win at Imola to stand on the brink of a seventh drivers’ crown.

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Hamilton came back from third place at the end of the opening lap to lead Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas in a Mercedes one-two at the Italian circuit.

Australia’s Ricciardo finished third for Renault, his second podium of the season for a French team who are also now third overall, with Russian Daniil Kvyat fourth for AlphaTauri.

Ricciardo was left to celebrate a good day.

“I'm very happy and I didn’t forget to do the 'shoey' this time around!” he said of his famous podium tradition of drinking champagne from a sweaty shoe.

“We were pretty settled in fifth but then Max triggered the safety car.

“The result here means we get into third in the Championship, which is what the team is aiming for.

“It was a bizarre one, I got into fourth off the start and I felt that was the best we could do.

“But Perez had really good pace and he passed us in the pit sequence and then he pitted for the softs at the end with the safety car.

“We kept our position. I’m not sure what happened to Max but obviously that put us in the fight. Kvyat came out of nowhere at the end but it was fun.

“Two podiums in three races. It all just happened very quickly at the end there, it was fun. It’s pretty crazy.”

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes celebrate title

Hamilton, who took the chequered flag 5.783 seconds ahead of pole man Bottas, also banked a bonus point for the fastest lap to extend his lead to a hefty 85 points with four races remaining.

The Briton can now equal Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s record seven titles in two weeks’ time at the Turkish Grand Prix.

Bottas is the only rival remaining in mathematical contention, meaning Mercedes have also taken seven successive championship doubles, after Red Bull's Max Verstappen crashed out with a sudden tyre blowout while in second place.

“What an incredible achievement for all of you. I am so proud of everybody and I am so grateful to be a part of it,” said Hamilton over the team radio after being told of the constructors' success.

“People watching maybe think we're used to this but it always feels like the first with this team and I think that's because of the spirit,” he added after stepping out of the car.

“It's unbelievable... seven-times champs. That's something I'm going to be able to tell my grandchildren one day.”

Verstappen's exit 12 laps from the end sealed the constructors' title since Red Bull had to score 34 points more than Mercedes to keep the championship open beyond Imola.

The Dutch driver had passed Bottas, struggling with a damaged car and debris lodged under it, on lap 43 of 63.

His under-pressure Thai teammate Alexander Albon failed to score in 15th place.

A virtual safety car on lap 31, following the retirement of Renault’s Esteban Ocon after Bottas had pitted, played into Hamilton's hands with the Briton coming in for fresh tyres and rejoining in the lead.

The real safety car was deployed after Verstappen’s incident, with the Dutchman declaring over the radio that 'something broke on my car'.

Williams's George Russell, looking good for his first points in Formula One, then speared into the tyre barrier 10 laps from the end while trying to warm up his tyres behind the safety car.

“I don't know what to say,” he said in dismay before getting out and crouching by the side of the barrier.

Canadian Lance Stroll also caused some drama when he overshot his pit-lane stop and sent the waiting front jack mechanic tumbling to the ground.

with AAP

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