Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he is in the minority who don’t relish the unique challenge of Interlagos.
The Brazilian circuit has not been a happy hunting crowd for the Australian as he has only scored one point during his Formula One career, coming for Toro Rosso in 2013.
His dislike for the undulating sweeps is showing again this weekend as he has been outpaced throughout by teammate Max Verstappen and lines up sixth, behind the two Ferrari’s for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
“It doesn’t excite me that much, to be honest,” he said after qualifying. “I shouldn’t say that because it is not like I don’t try, but it is very easy at Turn’s 8 and 10 to lock the front brake.
“I thought that is what held me back on the last lap because I was probably thinking about that too much, and being too under it. I just braked too early, too conservative.”
Known for his aggressive driving style, many would think Interlagos would actually suit the 27-year-old as there are a number of areas where carrying speed through the corners is crucial to a good time, instead, Ricciardo feels he can’t use his tendencies around the iconic 2.6-mile lap.
The big reason for that, he believes, are the kerbs which are a mix of the older wide and high design unique to the track and newly installed smaller, more common layout.
“I didn’t enjoy the track as much last year because they put these big kerbs and it sounds silly, but for a race driver kerbs are really important,” he said.
“They can really change the track. To this day, back when I raced go-karts, out of all the tracks that I raced on, my favourite track was one that had the best kerbs where you could really bounce around.
“This year they have changed the kerbs and now you can sort of get on them a bit.
“It feels more like a race track so in saying that I have enjoyed it more this year around. I did feel like I got on top of it a bit better. And I felt that I did have it in me to be a bit quicker.”
Despite Ricciardo’s personal feelings, Red Bull have been struggling more this weekend as the well-documented power deficit from their TAG Heuer branded Renault power unit hurts them on the climb from the final corner at Juncao and on the back straight to Turn 4 at Descida de Lago.
The team is hoping, however, that the forecast rain for the race does indeed arrive and provide them with a chance to compete against Mercedes for the win.
