Cancer Survivor Does a Shoey, Ricciardo Responds

Sometimes it is easy to forget that sportspersons are humans as well and F1 drivers are no different. There are times when fans are inspired by their idols and on some occasions, where drivers are inspired by the fans. In terms of interaction, a few drivers go above and beyond the call of duty to make their fans’ day special. Now, Daniel Ricciardo has a fan who is quite special indeed.

A fan by the name of Ana Luiza Kalil was battling bone cancer but has now made a full recovery. To celebrate being cancer-free, she performed Ricciardo’s famous ‘Shoey’ celebration. It didn’t take long for Red Bull and Ricciardo himself to notice her.

This was Ricciardo’s response to her act.

Even Red Bull jumped in on the conversation.

This act comes a few days after images of Sebastian Vettel’s handwritten letter to a fan surfaced. It just goes to show that not everyone is made of stone and drivers can be sweethearts.

A year earlier, Kimi Raikkonen also had a special moment with a fan. After he retired early from the 2017 Spanish Grand Prix, cameras picked up a boy crying his eyes out. So, the Ferrari team invited him over to their paddock where he had an up close and personal encounter with the Finn.

Raikkonen’s act soon made it into the Laureus awards as an official nomination. Who knows, maybe Vettel’s letter and Ricciardo’s response to his fan could be nominated as well in the next edition.

But for now, Ricciardo and both Ferrari drivers have to turn their focus on this weekend’s race. It is the final race of the 2018 season in Abu Dhabi before big changes occur. While Vettel will be staying put, Raikkonen is off to Sauber and Ricciardo to Renault.