Daniel Ricciardo: dreaming of a ‘perfect’ Red Bull return
Dec 6, 2023
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Daniel Ricciardo, F1 driver, discusses his challenging season, taking a break, attending the Super Bowl, and his desire to get back in the cockpit. He also talks about his crash at Zandvoort, his Formula 1 endgame, and his return to AlphaTauri.
During his sabbatical, Daniel Ricciardo rediscovered his love for Formula One and embraced the privilege of being a driver.
Ricciardo emphasized the importance of taking time off to reset and rebuild confidence in the face of challenges.
Despite setbacks, such as a hand injury, Ricciardo remained positive and focused on his recovery, ultimately returning to racing stronger than before.
Deep dives
Daniel Ricciardo's return to Formula One
Daniel Ricciardo's return to Formula One is discussed in this podcast episode. After a challenging 2022 season, Ricciardo found himself without a drive for the first time since his F1 career began. However, he joined Red Bull as their third driver for 2023 and eventually made a comeback to racing with AlphaTauri. Ricciardo reflects on his time away from racing, his need for a break, and the importance of resetting. He also talks about his mindset and goals moving forward, mentioning his desire to be world champion but emphasizing that it won't define his life. Ricciardo also shares his experience of getting back behind the wheel of a Formula One car, the improvements in the AlphaTauri car, and his positive outlook for the future.
Rediscovering his love for Formula One
Daniel Ricciardo discusses his journey of rediscovering his love for Formula One. He mentions feeling burnt out and not being madly in love with the sport during a challenging season with McLaren in 2022. Ricciardo took time away from racing to reset and reflect on what life without racing would be like. During this time, he realized the importance of his passion and the confidence he had lost. As he made a comeback with AlphaTauri, Ricciardo embraced the privilege of being a Formula One driver and experienced renewed enthusiasm for the sport. He also talks about the joy of being a fan and enjoying the Super Bowl and other experiences outside of F1.
Overcoming challenges and building confidence
Daniel Ricciardo discusses the challenges he faced and the process of rebuilding his confidence. He talks about the importance of taking time off, both physically and mentally, to understand his needs and rediscover his true self. Ricciardo reflects on his experience in the Red Bull simulator, the initial nerves, and regaining his confidence and belief in his abilities. He shares his realization that some athletes need time away to recharge and regain their drive, and he appreciates the support and understanding from the Red Bull team during his return. Ricciardo also talks about his first test drive with the Red Bull RB19 and how it reaffirmed his passion for racing.
The setbacks and resilience
Daniel Ricciardo talks about the setbacks he faced, including a hand injury that forced him to miss races. He describes the accident at Zandvoort, where he broke his hand in a crash during FP2. Despite the setback, Ricciardo remained positive and focused on his recovery. He mentions his determination to come back stronger and the support he received from the team and medical professionals. Ricciardo discusses his return to racing in Austin, Texas, and the physical and mental challenges he overcame. Despite the initial expectation of possible pain and discomfort, he felt no ill effects and enjoyed being back on track.
Looking forward to the future
Daniel Ricciardo expresses his excitement for the future and his ambitions for the upcoming season. He talks about the changes happening within the team, mentioning the potential for AlphaTauri to be more than just a junior team and the enthusiasm and motivation he feels from being part of the Red Bull family. Ricciardo looks ahead to the 2024 season, emphasizing his desire to finish his career as a Red Bull driver. He talks about the support and faith the team has shown in him by signing him to a long-term contract. Ricciardo also mentions the growth and global reach of Formula One and his appreciation for the love and respect the sport receives.
The 2022 Formula 1 season pushed Daniel Ricciardo to the limit. Under immense pressure at McLaren, he failed to reach the performance levels that had made him an eight-time Grand Prix winner. Left without a seat on the grid for 2023, the Australian’s future in the sport was questioned.
Ricciardo took some much-needed time away to enjoy life as a normal person, but he’s far more suited to life in the fast lane. Now he’s back to revive his F1 career at AlphaTauri and prove he can still compete with the very best.
Daniel tells Tom Clarkson what he got up to during his sabbatical and why a trip to the Super Bowl ignited a desire to get back in the cockpit. The Honey Badger talks about a change in mentality, the crash that broke his hand at Zandvoort, his Formula 1 endgame, and much more.
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