Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo will not take a penalty for his engine failure during first practice at Yas Marina.
Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo isn’t facing the prospect of a grid penalty for the final race of the year, despite an engine failure during opening practice at Yas Marina.
The Australian was negotiating the final sector of the track during first practice when his car suddenly released a load of oil from the rear and he lost all power. He immediately pulled over and clambered out of the car, as Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas both almost came a cropper on the leaked oil.
The session was briefly red flagged while the track marshals cleaned up the spill as best as they could, and the car was removed back to the pits.
However, despite the failure, Ricciardo isn’t facing a penalty as Renault explained that the engine was actually scheduled to be replaced after the session anyway.
“Daniel stopped on track with an engine failure.” explained a Renault spokesperson. “It was a very high mileage engine from the start of the season destined for this Friday only. Due to be retired after this session. No penalty for tomorrow as was due to be changed.”
As a result, Ricciardo will be fitted out with a fresher power unit from his existing pool and will continue the weekend with that.
While Ricciardo has escaped penalty, Valtteri Bottas was less lucky coming into this weekend. Following his engine failure at Interlagos two weeks ago, he has needed a fresh unit – his fourth of the year. As a result of him being fitted with a fresh one, as well as a new turbo and MGU-H, he will start the race from the back of the grid.
📢 CLEAN UP ON TURN 20! 📢
Daniel Ricciardo's Renault suffered an oil leak which ended his session – and almost Valtteri Bottas and Pierre Gasly's#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/qPZB6lxXJH
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 29, 2019
