Verstappen gets a performance advantage and its news to Ricciardo!

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Max Verstappen will run with an updated Renault power unit today in Austin and Daniel Ricciardo apparently knew nothing about it!

Renault is gradually adding 2018 parts to its units but with only three updated engines available, the works outfit and its two customer teams have received one updated unit each.

Red Bull has elected to give the improved unit, worth about two tenths of a second, to Max Verstappen, an advantage he will likely keep until the end of the 2017 campaign. But when queried on the subject, Daniel Ricciardo said it was all news to him.

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"We had different engine specs? I had no idea. Seriously… I didn’t know. Whose was faster?" asked the Aussie, who rejoiced when he was told that Verstappen, who qualified behind Ricciardo, was faster through the speed trap.

He admitted he wasn't bothered by the matter, and even conceded that Red Bull may have told him about the engine allocation, a detail which perhaps flew over his head.

"Oh, so that is why Max signed his contract! I literally had no idea," he joked.

"Maybe they told me and I chose not to listen… but if that is the case, I’ll just charge my way through."

Verstappen has incurred a grid penalty in Austin following the engine change, and Ricciardo will likely suffer a grid drop of his own in Mexico, although there's still a slight chance he could reach the end of the season with his current power unit.

"I believe I will have to take another penalty and I believe I will have a grid penalty in the next three races," he said.

"I would like to say 'no I won’t', but it is probably more likely than not at this stage."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.