RB F1's Ricciardo: Not "Losing" Talent Yet

Despite challenges, RB F1’s Ricciardo asserts his talent remains intact, pledging to intensify his efforts.

Daniel Ricciardo acknowledges he’s struggling more this year to extract maximum performance from himself and his car. The RB F1 driver experiences ups and downs and admits it’s sometimes hard to find more pace. However, he refutes having lost the necessary level for Formula 1.

“It’s tough. You can go from one day to the next, from one situation to another, and feel like you’re clinging to life. I don’t mean to say we’re clinging to life, that’s extreme, but you can really feel quite down,” says Ricciardo.

“And then, 24 hours later, you might think ‘I’m back. Everything is fine. Everything is fine.’ I’m doing my best to try to stay level and maintain that constant level of confidence and assurance, but yes, there are always ups and downs.”

“I know I’m getting older, so I know that’s an easy excuse, probably sometimes, or an easy perspective for some people on the outside, but I know that’s not it, and I know some of my inconsistencies aren’t just because I’m getting older.”

“I think I said in Canada that it’s true, sometimes I feel like I have to work a bit harder recently. But the disappointment of Saturday is there because I know that’s not it, I know I’m not losing it.”

“I know I just need to work a bit harder for it. But I know it’s still there, and so it gnaws at me a bit. But yes, I still love it and I’m still very interested, so I’ll make sure everything goes well and it will be fine.”

No “negative cycle” like at McLaren

The Australian does not want to relive what he experienced at McLaren and assures that it will not be the case: “Yes it is. I look back, it’s funny, because in 2021, during my first season with McLaren, I had ups and downs and I was already thinking ‘this is a bit strange.’

“But then, compared to the second season, I think the first season wasn’t too bad. The second part of the season was pretty good. So yes, when I thought it was bad, it got worse. And then I think, as I said, it became a bit unmanageable.”

“And not only did it disrupt things on the track, but off the track, I wasn’t as excited about racing anymore, because ultimately, I lost confidence in myself, and you find yourself in this negative cycle. So I don’t feel like I’m up to par.”

“And whatever happens from now on in my future, it is certain that, whatever day I leave the sport, I will not feel the same feelings as at that time. I was really in a different situation. So, yes, the ups and downs are different from a few years ago.”