Daniel Ricciardo Backs Alonso’s Call to Bring back the ‘Fear Factor’ in F1

Prior to the free practice sessions of the Abu Dhabi GP, two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso drove his Renault R25, powered by the erstwhile V10 engine. Many in the paddock, including Daniel Ricciardo, were amazed at the nimble car motoring down the Yas Marina Circuit.

Viewers were also mesmerized at the sheer power and frightening nature of the sound of the V10 engine. Even Ricciardo agreed with Alonso’s previous comments and emphasized that somewhere, Formula 1 engines have a lost a bit of the ‘wow factor’ in terms of the noise they produce.

Alonso had previously stated, “It is something that we are missing honestly. I think not only the fans, everyone in the paddock, we miss the sound. We miss the Formula 1 that we got in love with when we were kids and we were watching television.”

And now, Ricciardo is quoted as saying, “I didn’t have a stopwatch, but I know for a fact, he was going much slower than us. But it looked faster because it sounded more impressive – and that’s the V10.”

Daniel Ricciardo believes present-day F1 cars lack ‘intimidation’ in terms of the sound

“It screams. It’s got the wow factor. It’s got the fear factor as well. I think any rookie jumping into a V10 is much more intimidated than jumping into a V6.”

The power units in the modern hybrid era, introduced from 2014 onwards, are relatively quieter. However, F1 fans from the past believe that the noise from the cars forms an integral part of the racing action.

The Renault driver continued, “Don’t get me wrong, visually the cars we have now are a bigger wow factor than ever, because they are so fast. But they don’t have that intimidation behind the sound: that roar and that scream.”

“It’s like a fighter plane, an F-18. If they were electric, they wouldn’t look that cool would they?”

Ricciardo bid farewell to Renault with a P7 finish in the 2020 Abu Dhabi GP

Starting on the hard tires, the Australian enjoyed a fine stint and stayed out, while his nearest rivals pitted. As a result of that, he shot up into important track positions early on. He then eventually claimed P7 in the season finale Abu Dhabi GP.

Ricciardo now leaves for McLaren, to team up with Lando Norris at the Woking-based outfit. He will hope that his new team’s impressive improvement coincides with his own form, heading into the new season.

MORE – Fernando Alonso Explains What F1 is Currently Missing Following Renault V10 test