WATCH | Daniel Ricciardo carves through Mexican GP field after incurring time penalty

Daniel Ricciardo had one of his best races in 2022. Sadly, it took him until the third-last race of the season to conjure up the performance, but he made the best of his chances at the Mexican Grand Prix.

Starting in 11th place, the outgoing McLaren driver knew that it would take a big effort for him to finish the race inside the top 10. Too often this year, the Australian would drop down the field when a race ended. He could not afford to do so again and needed a strong result - even if it was to lift his spirits.

He eventually crossed the finish line in seventh, but he had a 10-second time penalty hanging over his head for driving into AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda. Snaking past Turns 4 and 5, Ricciardo lined his rival up for an overtake, but going into Turn 6, the two made contact, with Ricciardo found guilty.

From there, it was an uphill battle in a car he wasn't too comfortable in.

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Clearing the 10

Throughout 2022, Ricciardo has not had an easy time driving his team's MCL36. Whether it's him not understanding the car or the car not reacting to driver inputs the way he'd like, there is no harmony between the two.

So Ricciardo, running 12th on Lap 51/71, was closing in on Tsunoda, looking very competitive in a car that's not been kind to him. Consequently, the ensuing accident came, forcing Tsunoda out of the race.

The McLaren team then told Ricciardo, racing on the quick-degrading Soft tyre, to drive as if his life depended on it. And he did! He picked off drivers, passing them like taking candy from a baby. By the time the