It hasn’t been the best season for Daniel Ricciardo. Without a single podium finish, let alone a win, Ricciardo’s prospects do not look great at the moment. Then came the blow of Ricciardo being left without a team for 2023. And yet, the Aussie driver has managed to maintain his cheery smile and upbeat manner.

It has been getting progressively harder to not be dragged down by circumstances, though.

So, what is Daniel Ricciardo’s secret behind his heartwarming smile and optimism? Appearing on an episode of The Helwani Show, Ricciardo revealed the moment which defined his belief in himself as an F1 driver.

Daniel Ricciardo recalls his brush with Michael Schumacher

It was a moment back from his early days in 2012 with the Toro Rosso outfit. It was a year when Ricciardo was competing with the legendary Michael Schumacher himself. In the Japanese Grand Prix that year, Ricciardo found himself ahead of Schumacher, who was in his last season.

“He was behind me and at the time he was in a better car and this and that, and he was also Michael Schumacher. I defended him for the last 10-15 laps and it was for the last point, so it was a top 10 (finish) which was big for me at that time in my career,” reminisced Ricciardo while talking about the moment he believed F1 was where he belonged.

After Ricciardo had finished in the top 10 keeping Schumacher at bay. During the Drivers’ Parade, Schumacher singled out the Honey Badger.

“He (Schumacher) came up to me — and I hadn’t really spoken to him yet — and he came up and goes, ‘Good job in Japan, you defended really well’ and I was just like, ‘Wow, cool’.”

That was really the first moment where I was like, “OK, maybe I do belong,” admitted Ricciardo.

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For an already renowned champion like Schumacher to praise rookie Ricciardo is definitely a life-changing moment. Even more so, he was outperformed by Ricciardo. But then, Ricciardo fans already know that he is special.

Daniel Ricciardo has not lost his confidence to win

But how does Daniel Ricciardo feel right now with all the changes coming his way? In a saddening move, Ricciardo recently announced his intent to hit pause as he won’t be on the 2023 grid.

After Nyck de Vries was signed on to AlphaTauri and Pierre Gasly to Alpine, Ricciardo could see his reality all too clearly. He has also declined all suggestions to race for NASCAR or IndyCar, quoting he isn’t mentally ready for it.

So where is Ricciardo’s head at? In a recent interview, Ricciardo spoke about the recent developments and how he felt about them.

“I’m certainly aware that I’m not perfect,” Ricciardo told The Race. “I have weaknesses. And unfortunately, this car’s exposed that ultimately.”

“So, there is that where it’s humbling. I can still work on things and better myself. But then the confident part of me is like… but you give me a car to win and I’ll f***ing win!”

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It is inspiring to see Daniel Ricciardo’s will unblemished. One can only hope that this will would soon find a way for him back into F1.