Ricciardo: It is no longer so important to claim victories

Daniel Ricciardo said sporting success in the second part of his Formula 1 career is no longer a priority.

The Australian was forced to miss the 2023 season when McLaren terminated his contract prematurely and gambled on Oscar Piastri. Daniel returned to Red Bull Racing, where he was assigned the duties of reserve driver and also had to actively participate in various types of promotions – a role that he is known to be able to fulfill perhaps better than anyone else.

But in the middle of the season, Ricciardo’s services suddenly came into demand when AlphaTauri decided to part ways with Nyck de Vries, who did not live up to the expectations attached to him. And although Daniel’s return to racing was not without its problems, as he broke his left arm during training in Zandvoort, after missing several races and recovering from injury he successfully proved that he still has speed.

Ricciardo showed the 4th result in qualifying in Mexico City, after which he finished 7th, and this is AlphaTauri’s best performance in the 2023 season – it was thanks to him that the team managed to rise to 8th place in the Constructors’ Championship.

“If I had not raced at all this year, if I had rested for the entire twelve months, I don’t think there would have been any problems,” Daniel reasoned after the season. – The time I spent without racing has really done me good, this break has given me a lot.

If you had asked me in January whether I would be ready to drive an AlphaTauri car in Hungary, I would probably have answered: “Maybe I’m not ready yet, I need more time.” Then it doesn’t seem to me that there is any special meaning in this option.

But then, at the time of the tire tests at Silverstone, this meaning had already appeared. And while I was driving the Red Bull car, I thought: “Great, this work gives me pleasure again!”

Even when I was in 14th or some other place at the end of qualifying in an AlphaTauri car, I was still having fun. Overall, that break was very important for me. In my spare time I just looked at everything from the outside and said to myself: “Okay, now the enjoyment of our sport in my case should not depend on the results.”

Yes, I understand what a good lap or a good race is, and it helps me sleep well at night, but now it’s not so necessary for me to claim victories every time. I suppose this has already happened in my life. And now I feel quite comfortable, I am happy with everything.

If a year ago I thought there was no point for me to race in a car with which I cannot fight for high results, then I have gradually changed my mind and now I see more and more sense in it.”