Despite the P16 finish, Daniel Ricciardo will always remember the 2022 US GP. Why? Because the 2022 edition will forever be reminiscent of the time Daniel Ricciardo leapfrogged Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.

Leapfrogged how you ask? Well, Hamilton and Schumacher are the only two drivers in F1’s history to have won the world championship seven times. Hamilton narrowly clinched his eighth in the previous championship. However, the legendary status of being an eight-time world champion has eluded everyone. Until the 2022 US Grand Prix.

Not Hamilton, not Schumacher, it’s Daniel Ricciardo who earned this title at COTA. “Second oldest team on the grid (McLaren) and winner of eight world championships, it’s western Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo,” announced a presenter on a stage at COTA.

We can only credit the hilarious mishap to a typo on the presenter’s sheet, as Ricciardo is an eight-time race winner. Eight race wins are also an incredible achievement. However, it surely cannot be confused with eight world championships.

Or maybe we can credit Ricciardo’s popularity to the announcement. Doesn’t matter if he’s not even won one. People of Texas love Ricciardo, maybe even more than any world champion.

Read More: “There’s A Lot Of Things Going For Me”: 33 And In Love, Daniel Ricciardo Finds the Light At the End of Dreary F1 Career

Safe to assume, if Ricciardo were an eight-time world champion, he wouldn’t be struggling to find himself a seat following McLaren’s ousting. Regardless, this mishap happened and, with the accessibility we have today, everyone is hearing about it.

Twitter reacts to Daniel Ricciardo announcement mishap at COTA

The confusion leading to the announcement in front of a massive crowd was too late to rectify. Especially now because the announcement has reached the world of Twitter.

Incredibly, though, fans are accepting this new title around Ricciardo’s name with open arms.

Such is the aura of the Australian that fans are happily accepting this mishap and calling Ricciardo the GOAT.

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The fans truly love Daniel Ricciardo and if there were doubts, these reactions from the fans should serve as proof. The Australian has sadly gone through a tough spell and made up his mind about not being on the grid for 2023.

Let’s hope this sabbatical does not become a career choice.