Ricciardo Falls Victim to Yet Another Grid Penalty

Daniel Ricciardo is set to start another Formula 1 race from the back of the grid with Red Bull confirming it will face grid penalties at the Russian Grand Prix.

Both Ricciardo and teammate Max Verstappen will take new power units for the race, but they won’t be using Renault’s latest specification engine.

Both Red Bulls used Renault’s ‘Spec C’ unit in Singapore where Verstappen qualified on the front row and finished second, but both drivers reported significant driveability problems across the weekend.

However, it is another issue that will prevent Red Bull from using the upgraded engines in coming races.

“Our C-spec cannot run at high altitude in Mexico and Brazil,” Verstappen said.

“We also knew since we took the C-spec on that we had to take another B (spec) at one point.

“I think this is the best place to do it. Also to have a few more spare parts in case something breaks.”

It is not yet known the scale of the grid penalties both cars will face, with the list of new power unit components each car has taken to be confirmed by FIA stewards on Friday morning ahead of Practice 1.

Red Bull has previously eyed Mexico as the last race in 2018 where it could win on outright speed, although reliability was a weakness for Renault at the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit last year.

Max Verstappen took a dominant victory but he was one of just two Renault-powered cars to finish the race, while most Renault runners had reliability problems in practice due to the thinner air wreaking havoc on the turbocharger and MGU-H units.

Both drivers have, however, praised the Spec C Renault unit as a step forward even in its early guise.

“Through my time with the Renault power unit we’ve had some updates which have worked and some which haven’t,” Ricciardo said. “That’s been the reality.

“The ones that don’t it can be a bit frustrating or demoralising if you’re expecting something more than what you’re getting.

“Now, this (Spec C) being their latest step, having positives and actual gains from that, is positive.

“As a driver you could feel it, especially in qualifying. That was the first time I turned everything up on it.

“It felt like it, let’s say, pulled a little harder before the braking. It was a step in the right direction, I’m convinced on that.”

“It’s encouraging for the next part of this year but also for my future.”

Verstappen added: “The C-spec has a bit more power in qualifying but it’s the same or maybe a little bit slower in the race. The (energy) recovery is not as good.

“But it’s all about qualifying so you would always want to take another tenth or one and a half tenth if the engine gives it to you. That’s why we decided to take the C-spec.”

Current Renault driver Carlos Sainz, who will continue to use their power units when he moves to McLaren, has previously suggested the Spec 3 unit has the basis of an engine that could finally rival those of Mercedes and Ferrari.