Ricciardo hails "right decision" to take Monza grid penalty

Daniel Ricciardo claims Red Bull made the right decision in Monza to take a grid penalty so it could optimize is chances for Singapore. At the Italian Grand Prix a fortnight ago, Red Bull decided to go over the allocated power unit component limit, resulting in a hefty grid drop.

Ricciardo himself recovered to finish on the podium but says that the team was right to take the penalties after a strong showing on Friday in Singapore. After the second practice session, the Australian led a Red Bull one-two and was seven-tenths of a second ahead of championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

"It was done because we see clear chances here – and from what we’ve seen on Friday it was the right decision," he said. "To leave the Mercedes behind by seven-tenths, that makes my smile even broader," he laughed. "This is a track I absolutely like and I believe that the sacrifice that we have made in Monza will pay us back this weekend.

"Yes, I know all the sayings about Friday times, but seven-tenths is more than what you get from fiddling a bit with the car," he added. "This is severe. And we all know what the grid position means here – so yes, Monza was dead right!"

A recent topic of debate has been the allocation of grid penalties. At Monza, nine out of the twenty drivers took a penalty which caused chaos and confusion before the race got underway. Ricciardo gave his own thoughts on the penalties, claiming that they're "too much".

"I think being penalized every other race weekend, that is too much. At one point it should say: you have served enough penalties – now we will let you start from where you qualified. In Fernando’s case I think he was starting from Ascari in Monza and in Spa from Pouhon or something like that! Actually the two races I have been penalized – Silverstone and Monza – I had really fun races. In both I was Driver of the Day!"

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • reg

    Posts: 162

    What a nice happy guy he is!
    I hope he has a real result this weekend!

    • + 0
    • Sep 16 2017 - 10:19

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Visa Cash App RB
  • Points 1,061
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (36)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar