Daniel Ricciardo hopes the prospect of wet weather for qualifying in Germany allows him to produce ‘something special’.
The Australian is yet to drive the Renault in wet conditions, but reasons that good performances in damp conditions from the team last year bode well.
Having been 10th fastest in opening practice on Friday, Ricciardo then slipped to 13th best in Practice 2.
However, record breaking hot weather is set to dramatically change for Saturday’s running, with forecasts for rain and thunder.
It’s a prospect Ricciardo is looking forward to as it allows him to make more of a difference inside the car.
“It’s probably, or hopefully at some point it rains either tomorrow or Sunday. I still haven’t driven the Renault in the wet. I’m looking forward to that if that’s the case,” he said after Friday’s running.
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“Last year they had a few standout performances in the wet. Budapest springs to mind.
“They seemed relatively handy in previous years so hopefully that’s the case if it’s wet tomorrow or Sunday.
“I’m not going to rely on that. We’ll try to get a bit of homework tonight and make the car quicker if it’s dry and see what goes on.”
Well out of the championship race, and therefore with less to lose, Ricciardo reasons slippery conditions allow him to take greater risks versus those who are in the midst of a title fight.
“Mercedes they know they’re quick in the dry. Maybe if creates a few more concerns for them but I think they’ll still be fast,” he reasoned.
“The wet is more difficult for sure. It does keep you a bit more on the edge but if it rained I’ll be excited to drive the car in the wet but also to give ourselves the chance to do something special.
“For sure there’s opportunities there,” he added.
“People make mistakes; you can, if you’re comfortable in the car, make a big difference, but until I drive it in the wet I’m not sure yet where it will put us.”
Meanwhile, BP/Castrol has extended its relationship with Renault, supplying fuel, oil, and other fluids through to the end of 2024.
Final practice for the German Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 2000 AEST this evening with qualifying to follow at 2300.
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