Ricciardo to race upgraded Renault engine

Daniel Ricciardo will run Renault's upgraded engine at the Brazilian Grand Prix, which will result in a grid penalty for the Australian.

The French manufacturer confirmed in the build-up to the United States GP that it had used 11 of its 12 in-season engine development tokens, but Red Bull opted against using it in both in Texas and Mexico.

Ricciardo, though, will be able to sample the new-spec engine at Interlagos this weekend, but he will take a 10-place grid penalty as he has already exhausted his engine allocation for the season.

Autosport reports that "the engine will be used from first practice onwards, while a decision as to whether to fit the new unit to [team-mate Daniil] Kvyat's car is expected to be taken on Saturday".

Speculation is rife that Red Bull will be powered by Renault in 2016 despite announcing earlier in the year that they had terminated their contract, and the final two races of the season may well be to test the engine for next year.