Daniel Ricciardo is almost always smiling. But that sunny demeanour has been put to the test of late. Heading to China, he had retired from four of the last six races he has entered.

An engine problem meant his Bahrain Grand Prix was over pretty much as soon as it started. Then in China, a turbo failure in final practice meant he almost missed qualifying.

And even in the race, his prospects looked bleak. He lay sixth after the first round of pit stops, the last of the leading pack, while his team mate Verstappen was starring in third.

But then everything changed when the Safety Car was deployed. Ricciardo fitted fresher tyres, took advantage of Verstappen’s mistake and then delivered an overtaking masterclass (above).

Ricciardo had said if he were Bottas in Bahrain, he would have had a stab at passing Vettel, whatever the consequences. In China, he proved he was being genuine.

His passes on Hamilton and Bottas were brilliant and victory – the sixth of his career – was thoroughly deserved. “I don’t win boring races,” he joked afterwards, and indeed he doesn’t – in fact all of his wins have come from starting slots outside the top three.

Clearly, he likes to do it the hard way, which provides quite the spectacle for the viewers.

Well done Daniel and good luck for the future races, we will all be watching.