Daniel Ricciardo is braced for another grid penalty at the Brazil Grand Prix.
The Australian driver's hopes in Mexico were cruelled last Formula One start when he was penalised a 20 grid places after his team replaced his Red Bull's engine and elements of the power unit.
He was eventually forced out of the race on lap six with after experiencing turbo trouble.
Ricciardo said he expected problems with his Renault-powered car to continue for the penultimate race of the season in Sao Paulo on Sunday.
"I may have to take another penalty. It is likely," said Ricciardo.
"We could maybe avoid it but it is probably going to put us in a risk again of not finishing.
"We tried to avoid it last weekend and it still didn't happen. I probably won't have a big one (penalty), but if it is, it could be like 10 places."
Ricciardo has achieved a career-best nine podiums but just one victory this season.
He has high hopes for Brazil despite one top-10 finish there (2016) in six attempts.
"The circuit itself isn't what I typically look for in a track," he said.
"It doesn't have any notable high speed corners which I usually really enjoy, it is quite slow and short which isn't that exciting.
"That doesn't mean I will try any less for a strong result though."
Engine reliability problems aren't the only issue pressing Ricciardo.
He again faced questions this week about his future with Red Bull after his contract expires at the end of 2018, claiming to "hold a few cards" in upcoming negotiations with his employer.
Ricciardo is fourth in the driver standings, 14 points ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen but well behind third-placed Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas.
Lewis Hamilton wrapped up the championship in Mexico ahead of Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, while Ricciardo's Dutch teammate Max Verstappen is sixth after winning two of the past four races.
