Canadian GP: Daniel Ricciardo says maiden F1 win feels 'surreal'

Daniel Ricciardo described his maiden Formula 1 win in the Canadian Grand Prix as "surreal" because he took the lead so late

The Red Bull driver was running third in a five-car lead queue behind Nico Rosberg's limping Mercedes and the Force India of Sergio Perez going into the last five laps.

Ricciardo was finally able to overtake Perez around the outside of Turn 1, and then chased down and overtook Rosberg with a DRS pass two laps from the end.

"It still is a bit surreal I think, and just really cool," said Ricciardo.

"It is not that we were leading the whole race, it is not like I had time to understand that I was going to win, that is why it is taking a while to comprehend in my head."

The Australian said he needed a slight slip from Perez to finally get the run on the Force India after following it for most of the second half of the race to no avail.

"We were struggling to pass them, they had a strong car down the straights and a really good car in the corners," said Ricciardo.

"I was trying the whole time I was behind him. He was driving well and not making any mistakes.

"Realistically I needed a bit of a mistake from him. He got quite close to Nico and perhaps overshot the braking a bit at the last chicane and I managed to stay with him.

"I knew we were strong braking into Turn 1, or really quick into the there, and once I had outside line I went in and just made it work."

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