Ricciardo set for "crazy race" at "unpredictable" Nürburgring

Daniel Ricciardo believes Formula 1's return to the Nürburgring this weekend will likely result in a "crazy race" given the variability in the weather.

After basking in 30-degree temperatures on the Black Sea for the Russian Grand Prix, the Eifel GP in the heart of the mountainous region from which the race takes its name is forecast to be extremely different.

Rain is a constant across the three days, while temperatures for qualifying and the race are set to be no higher than eight degrees, which will prove an issue for all drivers in an attempt to get heat into the tyres.

Wary of the challenge ahead, Renault driver Ricciardo said: "The weather report looks quite cold and wet, so it’ll be very different to our last few races where it’s been warm.

"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. I’ll be ready regardless of the weather."

F1's last visit to the Nürburgring was seven years ago when Ricciardo was in his second full season in the sport, with the Australian qualifying a superb sixth for Toro Rosso, a result he concedes left him "pretty stoked", only to slip back to 12th by the chequered flag.

Assessing the challenge on this occasion, Ricciardo added: "I am looking forward to racing the circuit again.

"In terms of the track, the last chicane is quite fun as you approach it quite fast and jump over the kerbs, making the exit of the corner quite wild.

"In today’s Formula 1 cars it will be very quick, so it should be fun. It’s one of those classic circuits, which I’m sure most drivers have raced during their career, and we go there looking to build on the positive run we’re on."

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