Daniel Ricciardo predicts “crazy” F1 Eifel GP with wet weather forecast
Daniel Ricciardo believes Formula 1 could be in store for a “crazy” race at the Eifel Grand Prix due to the expected cold weather conditions at the Nurburgring this weekend.
Rain showers are currently forecast throughout the weekend at the Nurburgring, with F1 returning to the German venue for the first time in seven years much later in the year than the race would traditionally take place.
Temperatures are not expected to exceed 10 degrees on most days, with the conditions set to add an extra element of unpredictability for the teams and drivers.
And Renault’s Ricciardo reckons the cold weather could spice up the action this weekend.
"The weather report looks quite cold and wet, so it'll be very different to our last few races where it's been warm,” he said.
"It'll be interesting to see how the car behaves in these conditions. Overall, given the time of year it could be quite an unpredictable weekend so we could be in for a crazy race. Let's see what happens.”
This years’ Nurburgring 24 Hours, which took place at the end of September, was halted for nine-and-a-half hours due to heavy rain.
Renault’s chief race engineer Ciaron Pilbeam stressed that teams will need to carefully organise how best to use their tyre allocation for the weekend.
"We need to be prepared to focus on getting the tyres working if it is dry, and to consider how and when we use our limited number of wet and intermediate tyres if the forecast is for rain over the weekend."
Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner warned his side will need to prepare for every eventuality at the Nurburgring.
"It's going to be a challenge," he explained. "I've been there in May and you open the curtains and see snow! I've had a race cancelled there in the past.
"Anything can happen though. It could be a beautiful autumnal weekend and the sun could shine every day we go there. But be prepared for everything and take your winter jacket because I think that you're going to need it."
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