Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo will have the support of family and friends at this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.
With Ricciardo's home town of Perth, West Australian, just a five hour flight away from the Marina Bay circuit, he is expecting a large local support base to cheer him on in his ‘back of the field' HRT F1 car.
The race will be the Red Bull protege's sixth-career Grand Prix, and he says he is looking forward to catching up with his supporters.
“It is only a five-hour flight or so from home. Sounds long for European based people but very close for an Australian,” Ricciardo said.
“My family and a few friends are coming out to enjoy it. Whether they will be watching the race or up in one of the hotels gambling or drinking a few beers, I don't know but it should be good to have some support.”
Ricciardo says he is looking forward to the challenge of another new circuit.
“I am looking forward to another street circuit. It is my preferred type of circuit,” he said.
“I really enjoy Monaco and Macau and these ones. It is always nice to come to a new one. Lots of corners. It is going to be quite difficult to remember where it all goes, but I spent some time on the simulator so it should help me out.
“I think it is going to be quite physical as well. Drivers I have spoken to say it is one of the harder ones over the season. The humidity and the length of the race, it always seems to be pushing around two hours, so good challenge.”
Ricciardo's best GP result to date is 18th place at the Hungaroring.
For more stats and facts on this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, see Speedcafe.com's F1 Race Guide below.