Ricciardo: I wouldn't be Massa's team-mate in Brazil!

Daniel Ricciardo says he wouldn't fancy being Felipe Massa's team-mate at the Brazilian's final home race in F1, with a wry dig that Valtteri Bottas 'is going to be really in for it'.

The Red Bull driver, who has only enjoyed one points finish in Brazil back in 2013 with a solitary 10th place for Toro Rosso, says the Interlagos circuit is one he's grown to appreciate during his F1 career and now feels more a home at the South American event.

Ricciardo will be paying tribute to one of his closest F1 friends and rivals this weekend as Massa becomes the centre of attention for his final home race ahead of his retirement from the sport.

The Red Bull driver has cheekily suggested Massa's Williams team-mate Bottas will have a difficult race weekend due to an unfavourable reception from the Brazilian crowds.

"The atmosphere at the track in Brazil is pretty unique, a lot of air horns and noise always make for a good crowd," Ricciardo said. "Even more so this year as it is Felipe's last race there.

"Brazil is one place you don't want to be Felipe Massa's team-mate, you get so much abuse on the drivers parade it's hilarious. I think Bottas is going to be really in for it next week.

"The lap is quite a short one but it's definitely grown on me over the years. Sao Paulo was quite an overwhelming place when I first went there but I have now found a few little hot spots. As it is near the end of the season we usually do some big team dinners there which means it's a really sociable race week."

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Having secured third place in the F1 drivers' championship last time out in Mexico thanks to his promoted third place after Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen both received post-race time penalties, Ricciardo can solely focus on aiming for the podium and challenging the Mercedes duo in Brazil.

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