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via Reuters

via Reuters

Daniel Ricciardo is enduring yet another tough season in F1. And this is in continuation to his previous few seasons now. Ever since he left Red Bull, Ricciardo has not found his rhythm.

Mclaren signed Ricciardo from Renault (now Alpine) hoping to finish third in the constructors’ championship. But it hasn’t gone according to plan yet. But now, there has been an interesting new development in the ongoing Daniel Ricciardo – McLaren story.

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Daniel Ricciardo adds initials of extra motivation on his helmet

As things stand, the Australian has finished in points once this season and does not look any closer to doing so again. His teammate Lando Norris, on the other hand, is consistently performing even through illness, which makes Ricciardo look bad. However, Ricciardo has revealed an abbreviated message on his helmet which pumps him up before a race.

The abbreviation is “FEA,” which, as it seems, stands for “F**k em all.”

When questioned about it post Monaco, he explained, “I like to use acronyms to pump me up. It’s honestly not directed at anyone, it’s something that I’ve said for a few years, and it just kind of gets me in my happy place.”

“It’s one of the last things I’ll see when I put the helmet on. So it reminds me to channel in and get into the zone.”

Watch This Story: Ricciardo Redemption Frozen Bottas: Dramatic F1 Moments In Monaco GP History

Sadly for the Australian, though, he could not finish the race in a happy place. The Mclaren pilot started the race at P14 and climbed one position at the end of the race. Not a good enough jump for a team fighting the midfield.

Ricciardo’s future is in doubt despite a contract till 2023

Ricciardo‘s consistently poor performances are gathering a lot of criticism. And to make matters worse, Mclaren’s boss Zak Brown revealed there are holes in Ricciardo’s contract.

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“I don’t want to get into the contract, but there are mechanisms in which we’re committed to each other, and mechanisms in which we’re not,” said Brown, suggesting the contract is not airtight.

via Getty

This is a worrisome aspect for Ricciardo as he might have to part ways with Mclaren sooner than expected. Especially if his form does not improve.

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Read More: Daniel Ricciardo’s Single Statement to Zak Brown’s McLaren F1 ‘Expectations’ Criticism

Let’s hope the 2022 season is not the last time we see the Honey Badger behind a Formula 1 car.