With the 2022 title decided and only 4 races remaining for the end of the season, drivers and teams are relatively relaxed. It’s time for experimentation and a little bit of fun. The epitome of fun – Daniel Ricciardo – has been enjoying himself before the weekend’s US GP at Austin, Texas.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The GP in Austin is the fourth from the last race before the end of the season. Max Verstappen was declared the winner of WDC in Japan. The battle for the WCC is more or less over too, with Red Bull looking as the most probable winners. With all the trophies wrapped up, McLaren isn’t under any pressure.
As part of the usual pre-race media involvements, both drivers of the Woking-based team were seen enjoying themselves. Daniel and Lando Norris featured in a McLaren Combine video. The two drivers take a test about their knowledge of the NFL.
They make their own attempts at the Texan accent. Then try out a few fun quizzes like a memory test and a reaction test. Ricciardo looked like the winner by the end of the video. Happy with his performance, the Australian ends the video with a message for a special someone.
“Hey Josh Allen, call me baby! Let’s do some warm-up together.” Josh Allen is the star quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL.
On the track, Danny Ric has had a tough time winning against his teammate. With his departure from the team imminent, it is great to see the two have such good relations. He might as well take the NFL Combine victory as he leaves.
Daniel Ricciardo has planned his return to F1
Despite all the fun and frolicking before the US GP, things haven’t looked good for the Australian this season. His contract was cut short as a result of his poor form at McLaren.
To date, he failed to find a team suitable for his goals where he could race in 2023. But he hasn’t lost hope. For Ricciardo, he has a plan ready that will enable his return to F1, possibly in 2024 after a year off from F1 racing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He said, “You will see me around. It’s going to look different for me, but there is still very much still a plan in place. So, it’s not that I am checking out and saying ‘see you later’; it’s far from that. I’m just putting in a plan to honestly try to get me back to the front of the grid and win races and do all the stuff I know I can do.”
“I’m excited for the last four [Grands Prix], I mean I’m excited for this track. I find that I always get two-tenths extra here just being in Texas. So, let’s see. But [I’m] happy, excited, pumped, motivated, fired up.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Daniel Ricciardo’s Best Moments in F1
He has been a refreshing presence in F1 during his many years of racing. Hopefully, we will see him back to his best and racing very soon.