DANIEL RICCIARDO shocked the F1 paddock when it was revealed he wouldn’t race in 2023, but it has been a surprisingly good thing for him. MAXIM caught up with the Aussie ace, who is now third driver at Red Bull, to discuss his life on and off the track…
Just about everyone in F1 thought Daniel Ricciardo taking a year out of the sport in 2023 was a bad idea, regardless of his two-season nightmare with McLaren in which he was effectively destroyed by his teammate Lando Norris and then given his marching orders with a year left on his contract. Go to Haas, they said. Sitting down with Ricciardo in Melbourne, it’s very obvious they were all wrong. His demeanour, in comparison to interviews during year one at McLaren, when he looked pressured and sad, is back to glowing with genuine happiness. That mojo is back, even before he tests a 2023- spec F1 car in anger.
You’ve got to be happy for Ricciardo on this alone, but can he get back into a competitive F1 seat in 2024? It’s a big ask, perhaps impossible, given current contracts at Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari. Nevertheless, he goes forth with a fresh mindset, and here he opens up to MAXIM Australia about it all.
After your McLaren stint ended, where were you mentally? How did you process that as you went into the 2022-23 off-season?
So where I’m currently at is just a content place. I’ll describe how I look to friends, they just feel I’m like – I wouldn’t go so far as to say glowing – but just lighter. Obviously I’m aware the last couple of years I was just, struggling. I mean sure, I still had some good weekends here and there. But, I was struggling to just be like fully content with myself, my performances, and with everything that was going on. I’ve always kind of held myself high on having pure love for the sport and being that guy who never has a fake smile. It’s always like a real passion. But there were just times [in the past] where I was, “Oh man, I don’t feel like I’m my normal self” because of obviously the results or whatever. So I know that’s why I was very confident in knowing I just needed this season to take time off. And yes, people around me were a bit worried and concerned. Like, “Mate, it’s a risky thing. You might not ever get back.” And I was just like, thinking, well, if I do another season, I’ll never want to come back ever. Because it’s the way it was kind of tracking. I didn’t think I was going to become the normal version of myself any time soon. And now that I’ve like made that choice, and now we’re into the season and I’ve watched a few races on the couch and I’m here at the track, I’m really happy to be back. But I’m also not like foaming at the mouth like ‘get me in the car’. I’m just happy still taking the time. I think I’m also just learning about myself. And already there are things I’ve discovered that if I went back again racing next year, I’d do things differently and setup some things differently. So yeah, it’s good.
What’s the return to Red Bull Racing been like?
Being back at Red Bull, firstly, has been better than I thought it would be. I was definitely excited to come back and I think the chats we were having, I felt like everyone was excited for me to come back and it was like with open arms. But yeah I didn’t expect everyone that I used to work with to be as kind of high [about it] as I am. I think it’s cool, like obviously, I’ve moved on, I’ve matured. I’ve lived and learned. And I’ve kind of grown through it all. And I feel everyone else has as well. There’s kind of no carry over of 2018 or whatever choice I made back then, it’s like [swipes hands clean]. I don’t even want to say we’re starting from fresh, because it just feels like we’re picking it up where we left off. And it’s been really good so I’m happy. I’ve got some perks, in that I got more time back home over Christmas, got to spend some time with the family. Obviously, with this lifestyle, you’re used to being selfish, and putting yourself first and not really giving your mates or family much time because you don’t have the opportunity to. So being there a bit more for them the last kind of few months has been nice.
How much simulator work have you been doing? Has it helped you regain the confidence in yourself as you thought it might?
Yeah. Since Abu Dhabi [2022] I went home, and spent two months there. I then went to the States, went to the Super Bowl, and basically did no race driver things for close to three months. But, then the first day back at Red Bull, I had like the most fun I’ve ever had driving a simulator, which is crazy, especially because at this point in my career that’s normally the boring work. But, Simon Rennie, my former race engineer at Red Bull is now running the sim. So it was like we were back at the routine of 2018 and mate, I loved it. It took me a few laps to get going, but once I did it all felt familiar again. I could honestly say in a day my confidence went from being probably pretty low to back to the levels I remember being at. It was a good day. And I think just having that time off just gave me a chance in a way forget a little bit of the last two years. Just kind of go in there with a fresh mind.
Red Bull is a good place to be. Has that top team energy been refreshing?
Yeah, I think it’s so obvious coming back now, having worked in different environments the last few years. It’s also like, going into [Red Bull Racing HQ] Milton Keynes, seeing how much the facility has grown in four years. Honestly my jaw was just [on the floor]. I couldn’t believe how much they had built. And it just kind of showed, as you said, like their mindset, their mentality. They’re a bunch of, in the most positive way, like they’re a bunch of killers. They’re just so hungry to win. And I see what they built now and it’s no coincidence that they’re at the front. And it’s really cool. I mean, don’t get me wrong – everyone wants to win. But, there are levels. And this is f—king awesome.
How did you feel being in Australia and not racing at Albert Park?
It was good. I probably thought it would feel weirder being there and not competing, but everything else felt the same, like the reception I got. I was also in all of the [F1] debriefs. The only thing that I didn’t do is drive, which obviously is a big deal. But the schedule felt more or less the same, so it was kind of nice I could relax a little bit when the session was on and sit down for an hour. I’m content with this. I know it was the time I needed if I am to get back next year. All these things need to happen. I’m in no rush to get back in. For sure I’ll sit on pit wall and look at all the drivers with a little bit of envy but I know this is right for me at the moment.
Will you be happen to be getting time this year in the RB19?
Yes, but at this stage not at a race weekend. It’s planned that I’ll do a Pirelli test after the Silverstone race. And there’s another one at Monza, after that race. So the plan is for me to do at least those two days. So that’s July and September. And I’m looking forward to that as well. I think it’s important just for me to get a little bit of that car fitness back and all that stuff.
There are not many seats left for 2024, and no competitive ones up at the front. Does this concern you?
It doesn’t scare me. It’s always been like that. I knew this was going to be a risk obviously in removing myself from a seat. But I think it’s clear what I don’t want, in terms of I don’t want any seat next year as much as I think I want to be racing again. I don’t want to start from zero, and build my career from scratch. It’s not coming from an arrogant place. But I’m just past that. I don’t think that’s going to stimulate me or give me that second wind I’m looking for. It makes the top seats even scarcer. But, that’s where I know I will be able to perform at my best and thrive. That’s the sort of stuff I’m keeping my eyes on.
What’s going on for you outside F1?
The two big ones for me are the wine, and the clothing business. These are the things I’m genuinely really enjoying and invested in. They’re my fun projects on the side. And then, it’s also nice just getting time to myself. Honestly, I didn’t train for like two months because I just need to give myself some time off. And now I’m getting back into it. And I want to be getting fit again.
Have you got any fun travel planned while you’re not racing?
I’d love to do a family trip. I’ve never been to the Maldives. That’s been like a bucket list item for a while. I don’t know if that’ll happen this year, but there is that. There’s a safari and I also want to do an American road trip. There’s a lot, but I don’t want to rush it.
Interview by STEWART BELL
Photos: COURTESY OF RED BULL CONTENT POOL
TIME FOR A SINGAPORE SLING
Take your love of the sport to the next level with a dream trip to the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023. It’s a perfect post-winter rev-up that promises tropical climate, fantastic racing under lights, the hottest music acts on stage, and much more. Those who head to Singapore for the event this year will be among the first to see F1 cars race on its modified track layout that will be in place until 2026 at least. The changes are a result of local redevelopment, and will see the Marina Bay Street Circuit drop to 4.928-kilometres in total distance and 19 turns.
The cars will now go straight on at what was turn 16 to connect with what was turn 19 to form a 397.9 metre back straight. A welcome relief for the drivers in what is the toughest event of the year. The lap times are expected to drop by 20 seconds, too, ensuring a thrilling spectacle for trackside fans. As always, the event is about so much more than racing – with music playing a big part. Last year saw the likes of Green Day, Black Eyed Peas, Suede, The Kid LAROI and TLC headline, in which 92 acts in total performed across nine stages. And in 2023 the acts continue to get even bigger with rapper/singer Post Malone and pop icon Robbie Williams already announced!
There’s been no shortage of quality since 2008, with past headliners including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, The Killers, Dua Lipa, Gwen Stefani, Calvin Harris, Ariana Grande, Queen with Adam Lambert, Imagine Dragons, Bon Jovi, Pharrell Williams, Swedish House Mafia and more. Beyond the track, Singapore is a dream to get around and the city-state is world-renowned for its cuisine, celebrating its Malay, Indian and Chinese heritage. You cannot go wrong, whether you’re booking five-star or budget, and all with just a seven-hour flight from Sydney or Melbourne, or five from Perth.
The FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX will be held from September 15-17, 2023. For more info go to singaporegp.sg
For the full article grab the June 2023 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
