Red Bull confident over Ricciardo penalty prospect

Red Bull are confident that Daniel Ricciardo will not face a grid penalty at the Hungarian Grand Prix, according to BBC Sport. Ricciardo's German Grand Prix ended in engine failure, despite Red Bull fitting fresh power unit parts for the race at Hockenheim.

Ricciardo took 20 places worth of penalties in Germany, meaning he started the race 19th, as Red bull looked ahead to this week's race at the Hungaroring, where the twisty nature of the circuit could play into their hands.

However, it was a familiar story for the Australian, who suffered a third mechanical DNF of 2018 - and fourth overall - to fall 82 points adrift of standings leader Lewis Hamilton.

Roll with the punches. Even if they're coming from Tyson.. — Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) July 22, 2018

Ricciardo said across the Hockenheim weekend that only a victory in Budapest will keep his title hopes alive this season, so fears that he may not be able to target a high spot on the grid were understandable.

BBC Sport cite a Red Bull spokesman as saying that the parts that failed in Germany will be "replaced with one of our quota" - likely a part that has been used previously this season but has not exceeded its use.

Red Bull are confident coming to the Hungaroring - a track often noted as 'Monaco without the walls' - following Ricciardo's win in Monte Carlo earlier this year.

However, Sebastian Vettel won comfortably here last year, after Ricciardo and Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen collided on the opening lap, forcing the Australian to retire and earning Verstappen a costly 10-second time penalty.