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F1 Malaysian GP: Ricciardo dedicates win to the late Jules Bianchi

Daniel Ricciardo has dedicated his first Formula 1 win in two years to the late Jules Bianchi following his success in the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The Australian led home an unexpected Red Bull 1-2 at Sepang to notch up his fourth career F1 win and his first since the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix.

A result he feels is a long time coming after he missed out on an almost certain success in Monaco due to a pit-stop blunder, Ricciardo says he has been 'waiting for victory' for the chance to pay a poignant tribute to former F1 driver Bianchi.

A close personal friend of Ricciardo, Bianchi passed away in July 2015, nine months after he was critically injured in a collision with a recovery vehicle during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

"I want to dedicate this one to Jules," he said. "I've been waiting for a victory and waiting to dedicate this to him."

"My life definitely changed after that incident. I'm extremely grateful and appreciative of everything that I've got. I'll dedicate this to him."

Despite the bitter disappointment that came with missing out on victory in Monaco, with Ricciardo having notched up five podiums in the last six races, he feels he is driving better than ever potentially because of that defining moment.

"After Monaco, in particular, was obviously mixed emotions. It was a hard one to take," Ricciardo said. I felt we've come through that, as a team we've learnt a lot. As a person, it made me a bit stronger. I think I've only got better since then."

"I felt we've come through that, as a team we've learnt a lot. As a person, it made me a bit stronger. I think I've only got better since then." 

Zdroj: crash.net