Daniel Ricciardo clinched third place in the championship with his podium finish in the Mexican Grand Prix, but is eager to continue his strong season in Brazil this weekend at a circuit that has grown on him over the year’s he’s raced there.
The Red Bull Racing driver is looking forward to the unique setting of the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, especially with all the commotion that surrounds Williams Martini Racing driver Felipe Massa, and is expecting it to be even more crazy with the Brazilian racing his final Brazilian Grand Prix before he retires at the end of the season.
But Ricciardo is looking for only his second ever points finish at Interlagos, with a tenth place back in 2013 whilst driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso his best result to date.
“The atmosphere at the track in Brazil is pretty unique, a lot of air horns and noise always make for a good crowd,” said Ricciardo. “Even more so this year as it is Felipe’s last race there. Brazil is one place you don’t want to be Felipe Massa’s team mate, you get so much abuse on the drivers parade its hilarious. I think [Valtteri] Bottas is going to be really in for it next week.
“The lap is quite a short one but it’s definitely grown on me over the years. Sao Paulo was quite an overwhelming place when I first went there but I have now found a few little hot spots.
“As it is near the end of the season we usually do some big team dinners there which means it’s a really sociable race week. It’s up there as one of my top races due to the off track fun, let’s hope the on track action can match it.”
