Daniel Ricciardo explains why he signed with Red Bull Racing as third driver for 2023. He stressed that the deal does not include a racing role.
Daniel Ricciardo will return to Milton Keynes’ team in 2023, supporting Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez after McLaren decided to appoint Oscar Piastri and end his contract with the team a year early. will be responsible.
However, Daniel Ricciardo stressed that the Red Bull deal is not a racing role. It is understood that Liam Lawson will remain as reserve driver.
“I would like to make it clear that I will not be on the grid yet next year,” confirmed Daniel Ricciardo about his third driver contract.
“But it’s definitely a way to give yourself the time you need to step back and still be involved in F1. And it’s been no secret for me.”
“As the second half of the season progressed, I needed to step back a little bit, rebuild myself, reset myself a bit. I also needed to find a strong love for Formula 1. Without it at this level, I could not have done it myself or my surroundings. It’s because I can’t fully demonstrate my own characteristics for the sake of people who are
“I’m not saying I lost it, but I’m afraid of losing it.”
“Of course, if you want to stay, race driving is the best thing. That’s the surest way to go. But it became more and more clear that we wouldn’t be able to do 24 races next year.”
“I don’t think it’s the right thing for me. I think it probably exhausted me more than anything else. I had to slow down my season when I felt a little bit tired.”
The life of an F1 driver is not easy. It looks attractive from the outside and has a trap of fame and fortune, but it also involves significant labor. International travel and marketing efforts are part of this role.
There will be sponsorship appearances, photo shoots, interviews, TV and radio appearances, all before the drivers consider their fitness. Maintaining fitness while flying around the country can be difficult and is often the first cut.
Daniel Ricciardo describes the lifestyle as “privileged, but also demanding”.
“We’re really good at what we do, but we’re still human and we’re tired, weary, weary.”
“And at this level of sport, it’s dangerous. You can’t even operate at 99 per cent. So I was really afraid that if I did another year, I wouldn’t be able to do my best.”
“Of course there were discussions with the other teams. I was like, ‘OK, even if I’m not on the grid, I have to at least be linked with the top teams.'”
“It’s great to be in an environment where you can win. I think you can learn a lot,” added Daniel Ricciardo about his Red Bull deal.
“Even if they don’t have a seat, that could help them find another seat.”
“Also, being linked to the top teams feels a bit like[Nick]de Vries was with Mercedes. hard to get
“So there are many things.”
That realization is why Daniel Ricciardo is looking for time to reset and reignite his inner fire after a trying period.
And that’s not the only challenge Daniel Ricciardo faced at McLaren. When the world nearly shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ricardo found himself more isolated than ever.
I missed my family and friends. He lacked the support network he had built around himself, and that separation forced the importance of those things at the forefront of his mind.
This is why the role of third driver, which does not require extensive travel, is ideal for Daniel Ricciardo.
“Definitely,” agrees Daniel Ricciardo.
“Especially when you’re at the top of your sport, you want to feel amazing, unbeatable, really special.”
“But on some level, we are all still human and we feel pain or sadness or whatever it is.”
“I’ve definitely had my highs and lows over the last few years, and I’ve felt that since then, as COVID-19 has made me see friends and family less often.”
“It all added up to the point where I was like, ‘Okay, maybe it’s best to get some things back in my life.’ To have a little more time with my family, with my friends, and with myself.” hey”
Striking a balance between Red Bull’s demands and Daniel Ricciardo’s demands was therefore important in signing the third driver contract.
But it’s also a tightrope walk. While connected enough to stay relevant, a year off isn’t connected enough to have the desired effect.
“I’m not going to every race,” admitted Daniel Ricciardo.
“I still want that time for myself, but I still think I went to some races, did some simulations, listened, and lent my experience and stuff. If I can help, it’s It’s wonderful.”
“It would be nice to be able to do some form of testing and just keep the car fit.”
“So in a way it’s enough just to be in a place where you can still keep yourself up to date. But if it gives you a break, this is taken away enough.”
“And I’m sure when you watch the races you’ll envy me not being on the track and these will probably feed me in a good way.”
Category: F1 / Daniel Ricardo / red bull