In a revealing glimpse into his renewed commitment to Formula 1, Daniel Ricciardo has shared the focused mindset that guided his return to the grid for the 2023 season.
Ricciardo’s journey took a unique turn, starting from the sidelines after leaving McLaren, only to resurface at Red Bull as a third-driver. However, a surprising twist in the middle of the season led him to take over the driver’s seat at AlphaTauri, replacing Nyck de Vries and reigniting his competitive fire.
Being back in the racing spotlight made Ricciardo reflect on his role as both an entertainer and a dedicated racer. He had to find the right balance between captivating the audience and staying focused on his racing goals.
Ricciardo openly acknowledges this change in perspective, emphasizing his dedication to being seen primarily as a determined and focused racer during this phase of his impressive career.
Ricciardo: I’ve minimised a lot
“I’ve made a conscious effort to cut back on many things, particularly those unrelated to racing,” he shared with the official F1 website.
“While I still have some other interests that I’m involved in and enjoy, I have significantly reduced my involvement in them.
“My main focus now is to ensure that racing remains my top priority. With the current calendar and schedule, whenever I have some time off, I either hit the gym or take the opportunity to rest and recover for the next race.
“I believe it’s important to prioritize a few things outside of my job, especially considering how rapidly the sport is growing. There’s just so much happening, and it’s easy to get a bit overwhelmed.”
There are countless activities that you can engage in. It’s truly exhilarating and enjoyable, and personally, I adore those things because they offer fresh experiences and bring immense joy.
However, during my time off at the beginning of the year, I came to the realization that I was often overwhelming myself by taking on too much. I also neglected to prioritize my own well-being, including my physical health and recovery. In other words, I’m now striving to concentrate on those aspects.
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