Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat will both start the Austrian Grand Prix ten places lower than they qualify after electing to change engines.
Ricciardo and Kvyat were both on their fourth and final engine permitted under the rules, thanks to a spate of Renault failures, meaning they have to take a penalty for each new unit used from now until the end of the year.
With each getting a fifth power unit installed this evening ahead of Friday practice, they will both be demoted ten places.
Speaking in the paddock ahead of the final decision, Ricciardo hinted that a change would likely happen here because the race is one of their weakest due to the demands on the engine.
“It’s likely, we’re definitely looking into it,” he explained. “If it is not here, it’s in the next few races. We have to look at chances in Silverstone and Budapest. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had it here.”
Meanwhile the Australian will get a new chassis which he hopes will provide a boost after a disappointing Canadian GP – the scene of his first Formula 1 win in 2014.
