Ricciardo wins action-packed race as Vettel and Hamilton clash

• Published On: 27 June 2017
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Vettel’s clash with Hamilton led to a penalty that would have given Hamilton a comfortable lead.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo won the chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix that saw Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton controversially clashing behind the safety car. The clash led to a penalty for Vettel that would have given Hamilton an easy win had the Mercedes' headrest not come loose.

Ricciardo, who qualified 10th, looked out of contention after stopping early to have debris cleared out of a brake duct. The race was immediately suspended a little while later, once again due to debris in several parts of the circuit, and another chaotic restart followed a few laps later.

Vettel made contact with the rear of Hamilton's car as the leader tried to back the pack up for the restart. He even pulled alongside Hamilton and gesticulated at his rival on the exit of Turn 15, while Ferrari whacked against Hamilton’s car. Later in the race, Hamilton was called to the pits for a loose headrest to be replaced and Vettel's 10-second stop-go penalty was imposed. This meant, Ricciardo was left free to lead to the finish, while Vettel and Hamilton could do no better than fourth and fifth, catching the Bottas/Stroll battle on the final lap.