Red Bull's Baku-wards steps in European Grand Prix

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 19: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB12 TAG Heuer battles with Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM09 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid turbo on track during the European Formula One Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit on June 19, 2016 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // P-20160619-00372 // Usage for editorial use only // Please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com for further information. // PNL-160619-152555002

Ricciardo finished seventh despite starting second, while team-mate Max Verstappen picked up four points for coming eighth.

Despite running second in the early laps, Ricciardo was clearly holding up the pack as leader Nico Rosberg raced clear at the front. After he was overtaken by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, the Australian fell back down the order, passed by the stronger Mercedes-powered cars.

He mounted a late challenge on Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg, but with newer tyres, Ricciardo was able to secure seventh with three laps to go.

Verstappen meanwhile had a fairly anonymous race, but also passed Hulkenberg’s struggling Force India on the penultimate lap to take eighth.

Championship leader won the race at a canter, with Vettel finishing second and Sergio Perez completing in third.