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Brazilian GP: Daniel Ricciardo hit with grid penalty as bad luck continues

Ricciardo is using sixth new turbocharger of 2018 this weekend

Daniel Ricciardo's run of bad luck and unreliability is continuing at the Brazilian GP, with the Australian set to take a five-place grid penalty.

Red Bull have fitted a new turbocharger on Ricciardo's engine, a change that was not in conformity with the regulations - meaning he will start Sunday's race down the field.

The team claim Ricciardo sustained damage to his turbocharger while being recovered after his last DNF in Mexico, when a marshall used a fire extinguisher on his stricken car.

Ricciardo, who is leaving Red Bull for engine suppliers Renault at the end of the season, has suffered back-to-back race retirements and eight in total in 2018.

Before his usage of a sixth turbocharger this year was confirmed, Ricciardo told reporters at Interlagos that he didn't have "any explanation" for his run of DNFs.

"It sounds really simple and silly, but bad luck really is the best term I can use," he said. "All the team still like me, so nobody has it in for me. It has just been the way it has worked this year.

"I'll keep trying."

Also See:

Ricciardo's miserable run since summer break

Race Grid Race
Belgium 8 DNF (accident)
Italy 19 (engine penalty) DNF (clutch)
Singapore 6 6
Russia 18 (engine penalty) 6
Japan 15 (engine failed in qualy) 4
USA 4 DNF (electrical)
Mexico 1 DNF (hydraulics)

Ricciardo is without a podium since winning the Monaco GP in May and his misfortune since the summer break - he has failed to finish four of seven races - spilled into anger following his latest retirement in Mexico.

The 29-year-old said his car was "cursed" and that he was "done with it" for the season; an outburst he retracted on social media.

"Even when I said it, I knew I was saying it in an emotional state," Ricciardo explained. "Deep down I don't really mean it."

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