Ricciardo stripped of second, Red Bull to appeal

Daniel Ricciardo has been stripped of becoming the first Australian to score a podium at the Australian Grand Prix with FIA stewards disqualifying him from the race in a midnight bombshell.

In an ugly aftermath to the best performance by an Australian at either Melbourne or former GP venue Adelaide, the nation’s new sensation was a shattered man after learning his heroic and historic drive would be stricken from the record books.

FIA officials fronted the media soon before midnight and told them the new Red Bull Racing driver had been disqualified from the season-opening race for a fuel flow breach that saw the Australian exceed regulations.

Ricciardo, himself, was blameless in the debacle, race officials said. Red Bull Racing also maintain they’re not at fault. Team director Christian Horner says the team will appeal the disqualification, at a date yet to be known. “It is no fault of Daniel. I don’t believe it is the fault of the team,’’ Horner said.

“I believe we have been compliant to the rules. I am extremely disappointed, quite surprised ... hopefully through the appeal process it will be quite clear that the car has conformed at all times to the regulations. We would not be appealing unless we were extremely confident that we have a defendable case.’’

The bombshell was dropped after Ricciardo became the Melbourne Messiah when he defied history by holding off a fast-finishing Kevin Magnussen.

The F1 paddock was sent into a frenzy about 8.30pm (EDT) when an FIA official reported the team had breached official fuel flow regulations.

FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer said Ricciardo’s RB10 had “exceeded consistently the maximum allowed fuel flow of 100kg/h”.

“As this is not in compliance with Article 5.1.4 of the 2014 Formula One Technical Regulations, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

Cars are not allowed to consumed more than 100kg’s of fuel an hour under new rules introduced this year with the introduction of the 1.6 litre V6 turbo engine.

Ricciardo left the track about 11pm (EDT) before knowing his fate and said he was proud of his effort regardless of the ruling after only Nico Rosberg and his red-hot Mercedes stopped Ricciardo from winning.

Regardless of the disqualification, Ricciardo’s performance has assured his future in the sport. The home crowd went wild as Ricciardo, 24, took his runner’s up trophy following a stunning start the 2014 season, the roar reducing the winner’s reception to a mere cheer.

Ricciardo is now our man, and he proved why he was given a seat next to world champion Sebastian Vettel in the all-conquering Red Bull Racing team. “Wow…’’ Ricciardo said.

“To be the first Aussie on the Aussie podium. I am just speechless. I’m tripping balls. This has been a remarkable turn around by the team from a few weeks ago and I am lost for words.’’

Ricciardo was swamped on the line but blasted past Mercedes big gun and race favourite with a turn one lunge to steal second place.

In a difficult race with several struggling to survive with the new machinery, Riccardo hopelessly chased the flawless Rosberg, who proved uncatchable in his superior machinery after teammate Hamilton and Vettel bombed out.

Ricciardo was forced to show all his fight, determination and skill in the closing stages of the race as McLaren rookie Magnussen attacked.

His effort was made even grander given his team was predicted to struggle following a horror testing season in the new V6 turbo.

“If l look back to where we were three weeks ago it exceeds my expectations definitely,” he said. “We didn’t have confidence we would see a checkered flag let alone a podium. The support has been crazy and being the only Aussie on the grid and the result has been more than I could have been expected.’’

Even winner Rosberg acknowledged Ricciardo’s stellar home race after beating him by almost 25 seconds. “Daniel got a little more support than us but that was expected,’’ Rosberg said.

“We all worked hard over the winter and it is amazing to have such a good Silver Arrow. They have done a remarkable job. I had a great start and after that the car was just really quick today. We had a really good engine and no problem with fuel consumption. It all worked perfectly.’’

There was drama even before the start light ushered in the new area of Formula One with a stalled Marrussia forcing an aborted start on the formation lap.

With the flag set to drop on the Australian Grand Prix, Jules Bianchi forced a yellow to drop as he sat helpless on the grid.

The Brit joined his teammate Jules Bianchi in the pitlane after the French man earlier fell victim to the same problem.

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean further reduced the grid after being slapped with a pit-lane penalty for a pre-race blue.

Rosberg blasted his way to the front when the flag finally dropped with a lightening start rocketing him past Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton.

Ricciardo recovered from a sluggish start to steal second place from Hamilton. The carnage began behind instantly with Kamui Kobayashi locking up and taking out new Williams driver and Ferrari reject Felipe Massa.

The drama continued when race favourite Hamilton was ordered to retire when his Mercedes dropped a cylinder. “As soon as I left the line I had a lot less power. I didn’t understand it and people came past. They asked me to come in and I think it was one of the cylinders that was not firing.’’

Another bombshell was unleashed when reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel became another high-profile causality of the all-new machinery.

Vettel’s race was over on lap five. “Second formation lap we lost power," Vettel said. “We don’t know why yet. It is going to be a long season. All of us expected cars to beach but unfortunately it was us."