Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo holds the trophy as he celebrates taking first place at the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang on October 2, 2016. (AFP / MOHD RASFAN)
Sepang, Malaysia: Daniel Ricciardo led a Red Bull one-two as Lewis Hamilton's championship hopes went up in smoke at a dramatic, action-packed Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Hamilton was leading with 15 laps to go when his engine exploded. "No, no," cried the Englishman as flames appeared at the back of his car, leaving Ricciardo leading teammate Max Verstappen.
Championship leader Nico Rosberg survived a first-bend spin involving Sebastian Vettel and a 10-second penalty to take third place and extend the gap over Mercedes teammate Hamilton to 23 points with just five races remaining.
Hamilton was almost in tears with his head in his hands after the dramatic end to his race which has dealt a severe blow to his chances of securing a third drivers' championship in a row.
He had looked all set to snatch back the lead from Rosberg, who was relegated from second on the grid to 21st after he was hit by Vettel on the first bend.
Vettel was forced to retire with a broken front suspension in the incident that also involved Verstappen.
Hamilton had got away cleanly form pole position and sped off into the distance, clear of the trouble behind him.
He looked to be heading for a comfortable win until his engine let go in the most spectacular fashion.
An ecstatic Ricciardo celebrated his first win of the season on the podium with a "shoey" -- drinking champagne from his driving boot.
Verstappen, who turned 19 on Friday, celebrated his podium finish and his birthday by also drinking the sweaty cocktail.
Results from the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday:
1. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 310.408 km in 1hr 37min 12.776 sec (ave speed: 191.584 kph)
2. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) at 2.443 sec
3. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) at 25.516
4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) at 28.785, 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) at 1min 01.582sec, 6. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) at 1:03.794, 7. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) at 1:05.205, 8. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Force India) at 1:14.062, 9. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren) at 1:21.816, 10. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) at 1:35.466, 11. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso) at 1:38.878, 12. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) at 1 lap, 13. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) at 1 lap, 14. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) at 1 lap, 15. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Manor) at 1 lap, 16. Estéban Ocon (FRA/Manor) at 1 lap
Retirements:
1st lap Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari)
9th lap Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas)
18th lap Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Renault)
41st lap Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes)
41st lap Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Haas)
48th lap: Felipe Nasr (BRA/Sauber)
