Daniel Ricciardo hoping Red Bull can compete at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend

Daniel Ricciardo (credit: Charles Coates/Getty Images)

Daniel Ricciardo is hopeful that a new upgrade package will help Red Bull compete more strongly at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

The Australian is currently down in eighth place in the drivers’ standings after a difficult first half of the season, but Ricciardo is upbeat about the prospects for both himself and team-mate Daniil Kvyat at Monza on Sunday.

Speaking to F1i.com, he said: “On paper if we gain horsepower and everything we should, it sure should put us in a good position.

“You’d think it would put us comfortably alongside Ferrari, but again, it’s one of those things, even last year was like ‘we will get updates, this and that’ and even sometimes on the dyno it might say something, but when you put it on track it can be something else.

“So I’ll always downplay it a bit. I’d rather be pleasantly surprised than let down, so let’s see.
“It could be a very big turning point in our season and obviously for next year as well. I guess time will tell for now, fingers crossed it’s a rocket.”

Last time out in Belgium, Kvyat finished in fifth place, while Ricciardo was forced to retire just 19 laps into the Spa race.