Former System 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has opened up about figuring out when it was the best time to retire from the championship in a candid interview with Ford CEO Jim Farley.
The Australian driver made his F1 debut in 2011 when he was loaned out by Pink Bull to Hispania Racing to interchange Narain Karthikeyan for the remaining 11 races of the season. By the top of the 12 months he was promoted to a full-time contract with Toro Rosso, now referred to as Racing Bulls, for 2012.
Over his 14 seasons in F1, Ricciardo achieved eight grand prix wins, 32 podium finishes, three pole positions and 17 quickest laps. However after shifting to McLaren from Renault in 2021, issues started to go downhill.
He admitted that he struggled in his second 12 months with the Woking outfit and in the end was left with out a full-time seat for 2023. The eight-time grand prix winner returned to Pink Bull as a reserve driver. Throughout his dialogue with Farley, he revealed that this was one of many first moments that he questioned whether or not he was completed within the collection, however he knew he had extra to provide.
“I undoubtedly needed to attempt to perceive so much [in] the final 12 months in regards to the profession coming to an finish, and its timing, since you’re probably not going to get it again as soon as it is gone for probably the most half,” he defined.
“So 2022, I struggled so much in my second 12 months at McLaren. They let me go. So then 2023, I began with out a seat and I used to be like, ‘Is that this possibly it? Do I simply name it now?’ However I knew there was nonetheless some burning need in me.
“And that is the place I actually wanted to attempt to take a look at myself within the mirror, and was like, ‘OK, neglect what the folks say and what they need, what would you like?'”
Daniel Ricciardo , Drive to Survive Season 7
Picture by: Netflix
When requested if that was a private second or if he talked about it inside his shut circles, he added: “I attempted to make it as private as doable. There are nonetheless opinions, even when it is your dad and mom or no matter, however in the end, I did my greatest to guarantee that there was nonetheless that fireplace inside my intestine.”
Ricciardo did not have to attend lengthy earlier than he was again in a full-time seat, changing Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls).
“So I acquired again into the seat midway by the season. I acquired a drive, second or third race in, I broke my hand, and it was such a nothing accident, however I missed nevertheless many races.
“In order that occurred, and I used to be like, ‘Properly, I’ve by no means actually harm myself racing all these years, and I’ve a foolish crash, is that this now a little bit of an indication? Ought to I simply stop whereas I am forward practically?’
“And I used to be like, ‘No, there’s nonetheless unfinished enterprise,’ and I pushed by it.”
As soon as he returned after his harm, Ricciardo remained with Racing Bulls for 2024 however was changed by Liam Lawson after the Singapore Grand Prix. Whereas it was the crew’s selection, Ricciardo admitted that he was grateful that they’d made the choice for him.
“I lasted one other 12 months in F1, after which in the end acquired let go. That was the truth on the time. However I believe as soon as that occurred, I might been let go twice within the final two years. It had additionally taken so much out of me. I might put plenty of my soul into it, and I did really feel fairly exhausted by it. In reflection, I used to be grateful that they made the choice for me.”
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Group
