Daniel Ricciardo will likely have his work cut out for him at this weekend’s German Grand Prix. But the news isn’t all bad — it’s short-term pain with the aim of giving him every chance at being on the top step of the podium a week later in Hungary. Along with feeding his car some schnitzel, Ricciardo’s inner Honey Badger is likely to dine well on overtakes this weekend. The Australian is likely to be saddled with a grid penalty for new engine components for Sunday’s race at Hockenheim.
Ricciardo took on a new internal combustion engine and turbocharger for the Canadian race, the third and last of each component he is allowed to use throughout the season under tighter restrictions introduced for 2018. He will earn a 10 grid-place penalty as soon as a fourth ICE or turbocharger is installed in the No. 3 car, with Red Bull identifying the German event as the best place to take the hit. “In Hockenheim you can overtake, so we will probably install the new engine there,” Ricciardo told Speedweek.
Along with the ICE and turbocharger, Ricciardo is also on his third and last MGU-H. Should Red Bull elect to replace all three with new units, Ricciardo will start from the back of the grid. As frustrating as it will be to start off the rear this weekend, there is another good reason Red Bull has chosen this weekend. While Mercedes and Ferrari are likely to have the edge on them around the Hockenheimring, the same can’t be said in Hungary a week later. “We would want to avoid (incurring a penalty for) Hungary,” told Autosport ahead of the British GP. “Hungary is a key opportunity for us as it’s a low power dependent circuit to hopefully be in contention for a win.”
