Daniel Ricciardo believes Lance Stroll's overtaking maneuver on the penultimate lap of the Styrian Grand Prix was a desperate move that warranted a penalty.
Ricciardo headed into the final laps of Sunday's race with the Racing Point driver snapping at his heels as the pair battled for sixth, with McLaren's Lando Norris barreling down on both drivers.
On the approach to the uphill Turn 3 hairpin, Stroll lunged to the inside of Ricciardo and then veered wide on the exit taking the Aussie and himself off the track.
For Ricciardo, Stroll only got ahead because he had not taken the apex, thus avoiding a sure collision with the Racing Point charger.
"Firstly he didn't really get past, he forced both of us off the track," Ricciardo told Sky Sports F1.
"I'll always be critical of myself and I should have closed the door but I don't think he was ever making the move so I think it was desperate.
"I think Lando was coming and I think he had to do something otherwise Lando was going to eat him up. I take the apex and we crash, so that is a frustrating end and we lost a position to Lando.
"I think we will get the one back on Stroll, but it still doesn't… it is a bit of a shame to end the race like that."
Ultimately, the Styrian Grand Prix stewards took no further action, deeming the rift a racing incident, a call Stroll naturally agreed with.
"I was catching Ricciardo but I spent the whole second stint really trying to get a good run on him but he was very strong into Turn 1 and out of Turn 1.
"That made it very challenging for me to get by. And finally I saw an opportunity, it was a very small one and I went for it. It turned out to be really hectic last lap, but very exciting for everyone."
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