Ricciardo - "I've been a sandbagging s.o.b." after "insane" Italian GP victory ends McLaren duck

Daniel Ricciardo declared himself "lost for words" after securing an unexpected and astonishing Italian Grand Prix victory for McLaren.

Ricciardo led home team-mate Lando Norris after jumping pole-sitter Max Verstappen at the start, while McLaren's first win since Brazil 2012 was further aided by a shock crash involving Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

The team becomes the first to record a one-two finish this year with neither Red Bull nor Mercedes achieving the feat despite a combined 12 wins from 14 races.

"I've just been a sandbagging s.o.b. all year, that's all," joked a jubilant Ricciardo.

"I mean, thirds, fourths, fifths...you might as well just win so that's what I did.

"Honestly, the August break was good just to reset. I felt better the last three weekends and to not only win but to get a one-two, it's insane.

"For McLaren to win is huge but to be one-two, this is for team papaya. I'm for once lost for words."

Despite championship combatants Hamilton and Verstappen colliding and taking each other out of the race, Ricciardo's win could not be put down to simply good fortune as McLaren showed pace all weekend.

"Oh wow! I mean obviously it worked well for me yesterday and I knew, to be honest, even if we got the start it was never a guarantee we would lead the whole race but I was able just to hold firm out front in the first stint," added Ricciardo.

"I don't think we had mega speed but it was enough to keep Max behind and then I don't know. There were safety cars, there was this and that but to lead literally from start to finish, I don't think any of us expected that.

"I don't know. There was something in me on Friday. I knew something good was to come, so let's just say that."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 Race Today: Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia start times, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream

• Yesterday 22:29

Amended F1 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix starting grid with all late penalties in Sepang applied by the FIA

• Yesterday 21:43

F1 Results Today: 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia positions and times from Sepang

• Yesterday 21:27

Lewis Hamilton hits back over Ferrari speculation - 'No clue what they're talking about'

• Yesterday 20:56

Kimi Antonelli stunned after being told his real Bahrain Grand Prix grid position

• Yesterday 20:02

Max Verstappen delivers brutal putdown to Red Bull team-mate at Bahrain Grand Prix

• Yesterday 18:55