( CNN ) When man relies on machine , there is always something that can go wrong . And there is no more unforgiving environment than the high-stakes world of Formula One . `` Racing is one of those ... probably a crueler sport in that there 's so many other variables , '' says Red Bull 's No.1 driver Daniel Ricciardo , ahead of Sunday 's season-opening Australian Grand Prix . `` Unfortunately it 's not like tennis where all the racquets are pretty much the same and you ca n't blame anyone but yourself . '' Ricciardo experienced the full extent of F1 's cruelty at last year 's Melbourne race . The Australian crossed the line in second place -- seemingly becoming the first Aussie to finish on the podium at Albert Park -- but jubilation soon turned to despair . He was disqualified hours after the race when officials ruled his car had exceeded the maximum fuel flow rate , a rule which states each car is limited to 100 kilograms of fuel per race and was introduced to make the sport more fuel efficient . `` It 's frustrating , I mean it 's a part of the sport which will always be frustrating , '' said the 25-year-old , reflecting on what was his Red Bull debut . `` I 'm sure even Lewis ( Hamilton ) and Nico ( Rosberg ) last year were frustrated at the times because you never have the perfect car , '' he added , referring to the two Mercedes drivers , who finished first and second last season . `` But it is what it is , I signed up for that a long time ago , and you just learn to accept it . '' It 's a sport where even driving ability often fails to overcome mechanical failures -- eventual world champion Hamilton was forced to retire from last year 's race at Albert Park . But technical blunders do n't always end in disaster -- Hamilton won the Italian Grand Prix after experiencing mechanical faults early in the race , and Finnish driver Valterri Bottas lost a wheel in 2014 's opener before roaring to a fifth-place finish . Despite Ricciardo 's previous disappointment , he 's ca n't wait to race on his home turf again next Sunday . `` I definitely feel privileged to have a home race ... it just increases all the hype and all the excitement '' said Ricciardo , adding that he would use `` all the Australian flags and all the cheers to my advantage . '' After last year 's disaster Ricciardo is looking to make things right , `` There 's a little bit of redemption , I 'm confident we can get it back . ''
Red Bull 's No.1 driver Daniel Ricciardo says Formula One is a `` crueler sport '' Last year Ricciardo was disqualified from the Australian Grand Prix after finishing second . The 25-year-old is looking for redemption in Melbourne on Sunday .