Ricciardo outraged by grid penalty for Australian GP

Daniel Ricciardo has expressed his outrage at the penalty he received for speeding under red flag conditions during the second practice session for the Australian Grand Prix. He had slowed by over 175kmph at certain segments of the track but admitted he had made an error.

The Australian was found to be marginally over the permitted speed allowed on his way back to the pit lane and did not pass the incident in question and many are calling for a more common sense ruling than a grid penalty that could potentially ruin his chances of a first home podium.

Speaking to Australian news outlet Channel 10, Ricciardo responded to the incident with: “Is it worth a grid penalty? I made a mistake, no doubt about it, but is that mistake worth a grid penalty in a practice session when no car’s on track, no-one’s upside down?

"I think common sense should have prevailed. It was a cable on the track. I didn't pass the incident. I think it’s s***house.Yesterday’s news has been pretty bitter for me. I’m p***ed to say the least.”

Ricciardo also added that he feels he's been robbed of a front row start. Red Bull boss Christian Horner also inputed to the argument, admitting that he had never seen the Australian that angry before, but understands the frustrating situation.

"It's tremendously frustrating," the Briton said. "He's marginally committed the offence but as soon as it's triggered and goes to the stewards, the stewards have nowhere to go. I don't think they wanted to give him the penalty they had to.

"It's hard enough for us to understand let alone explain it to the viewers and the fans. You'd have thought a fine or slap on the wrist could have been more appropriate. I've never seen him that angry before." 

Sam Gale