Daniel Ricciardo claims shock Chinese Grand Prix win as Max Verstappen collides with Sebastian Vettel

The Red Bull Racing driver finishes ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen in Shanghai

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia celebrates on the podium after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, Sunday, April 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
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Daniel Ricciardo was the surprise winner of the Chinese Grand Prix as inspired tactics by his Red Bull Racing team and some ruthless overtaking gave the Australian victory in Shanghai.

Ricciardo won ahead of the Mercedes-GP of Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari as championship leader Sebastian Vettel could only finish eighth after a collision with Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Ricciardo had been running fifth mid-race when the safety car was brought out to clear up debris following a clash between the Toro Rosso drivers Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley.

Red Bull chose to pit both Ricciardo and Verstappen behind the safety car, while their rivals stayed out.

On fresher tryes, Ricciardo charged through the pack and he took the lead on Lap 40 of 56 as he passed Bottas at Turn 4.

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His teammate Verstappen had a more dramatic time of things. He collided with Vettel, spinning the Ferrari man down to seventh.

Although Verstappen recovered to finish fourth on track, a 10-second time penalty for his clash with Vettel dropped him to fifth in the final standings behind the second Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton, who had a subdued afternoon.

Nico Hulkenberg was sixth for Renault, ahead of Fernando Alonso's McLaren and an upset Vettel, whose championship lead has been cut to nine points.

The second Renault of Carlos Sainz was ninth, with Kevin Magnussen completing the points scoring places in 10th place for Haas.

The next race is in Azerbaijan on April 29.