Ricciardo resigned to engine penalty at Hockenheim

Daniel Ricciardo is already going into the German Grand Prix weekend on the backfoot, admitting on Thursday that he was braced to take an engine penalty over the course of the weekend. The Australian admitted an engine change was likely meaning his weekend is already compromised before anyone has even turned a wheel.

When asked by media on Thursday if he would be taking a penalty this weekend, Ricciardo responded saying it would be likely, adding the team were more focused on a good performance in Hungary than for this weekend.

“Likely. We are still not sure probably to what extent but it is likely. Don’t want to risk it for a disco biscuit. Ideally, we win next weekend, and suck it up here."

Ricciardo scored a strong podium last time out at Hockenheim, finishing second ahead of his teammate and the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg in a race-long battle for the podium places.

“I got second here, maybe I’ll win, that’d be nice. I like the track, it is fun, you can overtake so if we do have the penalties and I start towards the back… I’ll stay positive and know that there will be some good overtaking.

“2016 there were a few battles going on. I remember the race here in 2014 was fun. There was a lot of battles, I don’t know for the lead, but definitely the midfield. So there is a slight chance of rain on Saturday, that could change the grid a bit. The race will be all right, extra DRS zone now. So that should keep it closer.

“I want a good race here. Even if I start towards the back I still want to go for it. I feel like the triple-header did not treat me that well. So I’d at least like to make this double-header good for me. Both heads not just one.”