“We Never Got to See Jules in a Top Car”: Daniel Ricciardo Pens an Inspiring Post on Social Media

Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo picked 5 underrated drivers on the F1 grid that he had the privilege of racing with. Ricciardo’s list is surprising, to say the least, but having raced with a few of these drivers, the Aussie knows best. The honey badger also teased fans regarding a revelation of the 5 most overrated drivers on the F1 grid.

Daniel Ricciardo debuts ‘Dan’s Diary’

On a Twitter post titled Dan’s Diary, Ricciardo had his pick of 5 underrated drivers. Interestingly, the list had only one World Champion and 2 Marussia drivers! Daniel’s list included – Marcus Ericsson, Jules Bianchi, Vitantonio Luizzi, Jenson Button and Roberto Merhi. Ricciardo’s list also included 2 honorable mentions – Robert Kubica and Paul Di Resta.

In addition to naming the drivers, Ricciardo also penned short notes for each driver, highlighting their strengths. While all the entrants on the list are talented, without a hint of doubt, Jules Bianchi’s F1 career is one that never took off due to tragic circumstances.

Bianchi was a star in the making and could have gone to join Ferrari. Sadly, the Frenchman suffered a fatal accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. Had Jules survived, we may have witnessed Bianchi and Charles Leclerc as teammates at Ferrari. Godfather and godson teaming up to bring Glory back to Maranello.

“As a junior through karting, Jules was the guy,”

“We met training at Formula Medicine in Viareggio in Italy and everyone, even at that age when we were all 17, everyone treated him like he was an F1 driver already.

“I got to know him and we became friends, and I quickly got to know who he was and what he’d done before I arrived in Europe.”

“In some ways, I feel Charles is doing now what Jules would have been doing.

“It’s like Charles is the delayed version of what Jules would have done with the success he’s having” reads Ricciardo’s post.

Bianchi’s F1 legacy lives on through his godson Charles Leclerc.

Ricciardo concluded his post with a cheeky remark.

“ so my list of the 5 most overrated drivers I hear you ask? Don’t worry, I’ve got one, but I’ll keep that one in my head until I’m done racing..”