Ricciardo claimed McLare🃏n’s first F1 grand prix victory since 2012 at Monza ahead of teammate Lando Norris.

Remarkably, it was the only time in 2021 that a team scored a 1-2 fin𒅌ish wi𒐪th Mercedes and Red Bull failing to do so.

Monza aside, Ri🦩cciardo struggled to adapt to McLaren’s MCL35M, languishing well behind his teammate for much of the season.

Reflecting on his first win with the team, Ricciardo said: “The more time that passes since Monza the more I realize the e🔴ffect of that. I really do think it was the biggest moment, win, race, kind of day if you will of my motorsport career.”

Explaining furthe🧸r as to why Monza was such a ‘proud’ moment for the Australian, he added: “I have to go with Monza. But that’s not just becau✅se I won the race. It’s more the fact that I’m sure 99 per cent of people would have not put me down to win a race this year, so that’s why I’m most proud of that moment; I found a way to overcome some of the lows and make the most of the opportunity when it came.”

Ricciardo rated his 2021 season as a “six out of 🐟10”﷽ after finishing eighth in the drivers' championship.

“For me, some of the low days this year weren’t for a lack of trying, so in a way, I don’t regret anything either,” he explained. “I don’t feel like I could have tried any harder. If I felt like I hadn’t given it my all then maybe I would have some regrets, but I don’t. So yeah, no regrets, just memories – those words were m𝔉y first tattoo, actually.

“The second half of 2018 had its challenges… but this year as a whole, yes, absolutely: thinking about the first half and then t🐈hꦓe highs, it’s been pretty wild. I certainly reflect on the second half of the season much better than where I was reflecting back in August.”