Dan Ricciardo's transformation from a reserved adolescent to one of Formula 1's most vibrant personalities
An Australian driver has amassed a resume that would make many envious in the racing world – an eight-time victor who has finished in the top three 32 times, placing him 35th on the all-time list.
He's finished in the top three of the World Drivers’ Championship twice and outperformed the renowned Sebastian Vettel in the standings during Vettel's last season at Red Bull Racing. But what truly sets him apart might be his durability. Making his debut in 2011, he has competed in 14 consecutive F1 seasons, racking up 1,329 points over 256 races.
He's maintained his smile throughout it all. Nicknamed the “Honey Badger” for his friendly personality and tenacious nature on the track, this driver transitioned from an inexperienced 21-year-old to a well-established veteran known for his late brake applications and fearless overtaking maneuvers.
Among the sport's more popular figures, he understands the influence he can have on the next generation.
"As I grow older, I recognize that I have this platform or ability to possibly inspire someone like me who was five, six, or ten years old," he mentioned during an exclusive interview with CNN Sport. "And that's cool. I'd love to offer a kid something to aim for."
Even as the fourth-oldest driver on the grid at 35 years old, he's more than willing to share his knowledge with his competitors.
"I'm fine with being the older guy who tries to lend some wisdom," he joked.
Down under roots
Born in Perth, Western Australia, and a lifelong fan of Formula One racing, his latest film, "Drive the Dream 2," celebrates his roots.
Joining his longtime friend Blake Mills for a road trip through their home state, they explored its scenery and culture.
"Blake and I have been friends since childhood. We actually raced go-karts together. He traveled from all over the world to spend time with me and watch me race," Ricciardo explained. "We decided, 'Let's hang out and spend some time together, but let's explore Western Australia.'"
The journey included a visit to Ngilgi Cave, an essential site in Australian Aboriginal folklore.
"Josh was our Aboriginal elder who led us through there and showed us around...Everything inside, I've never really experienced anything like that," he shared. "He explained it to us and then, he took out his didgeridoo and started playing, which is an incredibly iconic Australian instrument. And it was so serene and quiet down there."
During the trip, they also tried out adrenaline-pumping sports like surfing and mountain biking.
"Racing gives me that adrenaline rush, but when I'm not racing, I still search for something like that...I haven't taken up golf just yet."
Australia has a successful history in F1. With only 15 drivers who have started at least one Grand Prix, the country has been featured on the podium 137 times and 44 times on the highest step.
Two Australian drivers have even won the World Drivers’ Championship – Jack Brabham, who claimed the title in 1959 and 1960 before becoming the first driver to win in his own car for the Brabham team, and Alan Jones, who became the second Aussie champion in 1980.
Ricciardo made his F1 debut in 2011, replacing fellow Australian Mark Webber at Red Bull three years later. He currently competes against the sport's newest race winner, Melbourne-born Oscar Piastri, who replaced Ricciardo at McLaren in 2023, with another Australian driver, Jack Doohan, set to join Alpine in 2025.
Proud to represent his country in F1, Ricciardo hopes to continue inspiring the next wave of Australian drivers.
"We're a very sports-oriented nation, and motorsport is growing significantly," Ricciardo said. "It's really nice to represent the country and hopefully inspire the next generation."
'Never completely content'
Ricciardo's F1 career has been a rollercoaster ride. Following a mid-season switch to HRT in 2011 and spending his rookie year with the team, he moved to Red Bull's junior team, Toro Rosso, in 2013 before earning a seat on the main team.
He had a challenging task ahead of him, replacing the dependable Webber and partnering with Vettel, who was fresh off another four-consecutive world titles.
The Aussie proved his worth beyond just keeping up, claiming victory at round seven in Canada and securing back-to-back wins in Hungary and Belgium later on in the year. He placed on the podium eight times that season and ended up third in the championship, trailing behind Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg from Mercedes and ahead of Vettel, who finished fifth.
Four additional prosperous years with the Austrian team followed. Ricciardo managed to get the subpar RB11 onto the podium twice in 2015 and placed third once more in 2016, subsequently winning four more races during the Mercedes-dominated turbo-hybrid era, including an impressive win in Monaco in 2018.
However, 2018 marked the end of Ricciardo's association with Red Bull, as he left at the end of the season to join Renault. Coincidentally, Max Verstappen signed a long-term contract with Red Bull around the same time.
Two years passed with Ricciardo at Renault, after which he made a questionable move to McLaren. He struggled to maintain the race speed he was revered for, often falling short of matching teammate Lando Norris' pace in 2021 and 2022. Despite this, his first season with McLaren featured a noteworthy highlight, as he secured his most recent victory and McLaren's first win since 2012 at the Italian Grand Prix.
The Formula 1 scene was devoid of Ricciardo's presence in 2023 for the first time in over a decade, but prior to the season, he chose to rejoin the Red Bull family as the team's test and reserve driver, a decision that ultimately proved to be a smart one. He replaced Nyck de Vries mid-season for the junior team, which was renamed to AlphaTauri and refashioned as Red Bull's "sister team."
Having competed for five distinctive teams and four in the past six years, Ricciardo highlighted the valuable experience he gained from transitioning between teams and seizing new opportunities.
"Jumping teams can be unsettling at times," he acknowledged to CNN. "But it's also a chance to grow and learn, as you're thrust into a new environment with new folks. Everyone has their own way of operating, so it's an opportunity to pick up some fresh techniques or new methods of working or discipline or work ethic, and so on."
Ricciardo has achieved just about everything in Formula One, yet his ultimate goal has remained elusive throughout his career.
"I'm content," he stated. "I mean, don't get me wrong, if it ended today, I would be content with what I've accomplished. But at the same time, you're never entirely satisfied because the reason I started racing in Formula One was to become world champion."
"I've finished third a few times, which I was proud of. I've won some races. So yes, I'm still content with some days I've had in the sport or some years I've had," he continued. "But ultimately, the aim was to be world champion, and that's something I'll still strive to achieve until the day I retire."
Red Bull realities
Ricciardo's return to Red Bull marked a full-circle moment for him, as he had first joined the team's academy in 2008.
The sister team was rechristened ahead of the 2024 season, adopting the catchy title of Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team, often referred to as RB. The team currently ranks sixth in the constructors' standings, with Ricciardo placing 14th in the drivers' championship.
Drivers associated with Red Bull are often under intense scrutiny, given the company's reputation for being merciless with its racers and making hasty changes to its lineups if drivers aren't delivering. De Vries, Albon, and Gasly have all fallen victim to Red Bull's axe in recent years, but Ricciardo embraces the pressure, stating that he "got used to it and learned to love it."
He added: "When I entered the sport and moved to Europe, I was – maybe some people would find it difficult to believe – I was quite a shy, not the most confident individual. And I think I was also ... just quite young and immature. So getting signed up by the Red Bull program when I was 18 ... having that responsibility, that pressure, all of that, it forced me to grow up."
"Yes, there is that pressure that comes with being in the Red Bull family, but I know that's what brings out the best in me. I think because I'm a fairly relaxed individual, sometimes I need a little bit of that to shake me up and say, 'Let's go.'”
Ricciardo is set to become a free agent at the end of the year, with highly touted Red Bull junior Liam Lawson waiting in the wings for a full-time opportunity in F1. If Ricciardo delivers for the remainder of the season, however, he may continue to be linked to a move up the grid. Despite having a contract for the next two seasons, incumbent Red Bull second driver Sergey Pérez is under pressure due to recent struggles.
"At this point in time, I'm focusing on a specific objective and prefer to minimize distractions," he mentioned.
Regarding the upcoming chapters of this individual's life in Australia, they are anticipated to hold the same level of intrigue as the rest of his journey.
Despite his focus on Formula One, Dan Ricciardo still enjoys seeking out adrenaline-pumping activities like surfing and mountain biking when he's not racing. (sport)
Aiming to inspire the next generation of Australian drivers, Ricciardo stays deeply connected to his country's motorsport scene, even participating in a motorsport-themed film, "Drive the Dream 2." (motorsport)
