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Michael Doyle

Daniel Ricciardo secures brilliant eighth at Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Max Verstappen takes glory for Red Bull

Daniel Ricciardo produces one of his best performances of the season to finish eighth in Baku. (Formula 1 via Getty Images: Bryn Lennon)

Australia's Daniel Ricciardo has scored points for just the second time this season, finishing eighth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Australian started 12th in Baku but was able to execute an alternative strategy to his rivals which helped him impressively move up the order. 

Max Verstappen won the race ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, after both Ferrari drivers retired early in the race. 

Mercedes driver George Russell came home third.

It is Verstappen's first win in Azerbaijan and extends his lead in the drivers' championship to 21 points.

Ricciardo was one of the only drivers who started the hardest compound tyre, opting to pit later in the race to be on a faster tyre at the end. 

As other drivers came into the pits, Ricciardo pushed on and climbed up the order.

The Australian had his race compromised at about half-distance when he was told to stay behind his teammate Lando Norris who was in a strategy battle with Alpine's Fernando Alonso. 

But Ricciardo was gifted a great opportunity when a virtual safety car was called with fewer than 20 laps to go, allowing him to change tyres without losing too much time.

He took advantage to stay in eighth place, finishing ahead of teammate Norris in ninth. 

Ricciardo said he hoped he was finally syncing with the car after a tough start to the season.

"I think we made a step in the right direction," he said.  

Norris was urging the McLaren team to allow him to pass Ricciardo late, who was struggling with degrading tyres.

However, the Briton's calls fell on deaf ears with his team reminding him of Ricciardo's efforts to help him earlier on.

Verstappen cruises to victory as Ferrari fails to finish 

Max Verstappen takes his fifth win of the season. (Getty Images: Clive Rose)

Max Verstappen produced a perfect race around the streets of Baku, securing his fifth win of the season. 

Starting third, the reigning world champion had life made easier when both Ferraris retired.

Verstappen, who had never finished on the podium in Baku in five previous attempts, said his car had the perfect balance and grip around the street circuit. 

"Maybe a tiny bit lucky with the retirements but nevertheless our car was really good today."

Charles Leclerc failed to finish for the second time in three races.

After taking an early pitstop on lap nine following the retirement of his teammate Carlos Sainz, Leclerc was showing the kind of pace that threatened to win on Sunday.

But as the Monegasque driver was hunting down his Red Bull rivals his car failed.

It is his second retirement in three races with Leclerc saying Ferrari needed to resolve its issues quickly.

"It's very very disappointing," he told Sky Sports F1.

"It's difficult to understand for now but we will have to analyse."

Leclerc, who led the drivers' championship by more than 40 points after three rounds, is now in third behind Verstappen and Perez.

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