Australian Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo hopes to repeat his surprise victory at the 2016 Malaysian grand prix with a win in Sunday's race.
Fresh off a second place finish last time out in Singapore, Ricciardo hopes the forecast storms and wet weather will bring his Red Bull into contention for the final race at the Sepang International Circuit.
"My victory last year in Malaysia was definitely unexpected," Ricciardo told formula1.com.
The 28-year-old cruised to his first win in almost two years in last year's race when Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes engine blew sixteen laps from the checkered flag.
"I really didn't think our car was well suited to the track, but Lewis' problem opened the door and then I held off Max (Verstappen, Red Bull teammate) in the closing stages to take the win. It just goes to show you never know what can happen," Ricciardo said.
The popular Australian sits fourth in the driver standings on 162 points, but is unlikely to catch the Finland's Valterri Bottas in third place on 212 points with just five races to come after this weekend.
Three-time world champion Hamilton, on 263 points, leads four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel on 235.
Ricciardo has performed well to stay in touch with the three leaders and remain ahead of 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
"Set-up is always a compromise in Malaysia as you need a good car in the middle sector, but you also can't afford to lose too much time on those long straights," he said.
"Let's see what the weather brings."
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