Having taken his first win since Spa-Francorchamps 2014, and still smarting from Barcelona and Monaco earlier this year, despite the fist-pumping, shoeys and grins, there was a tinge of sadness to the Daniel Ricciardo's podium celebrations.

Though he publicly thanked his mother, father and sister for their support, before the ceremony he had dedicated his win to former colleague Jules Bianchi who passed away last year nine months after his horrific accident at Suzuka in 2014.

"I want to dedicate this one to Jules," he told Sky Sports F1. "I've been waiting for a victory and waiting to dedicate this to him.

"My life definitely changed after that incident," he admitted. "I'm extremely grateful and appreciative of everything that I've got. I'll dedicate this to him."

Ironically, Suzuka is the next round of the championship, and it would not be too surprising to see Ricciardo atop the podium once again, the nature of the popular Japanese circuit perfectly suiting the Red Bull.

In their formative years, Ricciardo and Bianchi both contested Eurocup Formula Renault, Formula 3 Euro and the British F3 Championship, both subsequently entering F1 as test drivers in 2010, Ricciardo with Toro Rosso and Bianchi with Ferrari.

Check out our Sunday gallery from Sepang, here.