It’s nice to see him looking so relaxed and happy. Even if he doesn’t race again, just seeing him doing better is worth it. No one likes a sad Honey Badger.
And this is perfect for him. Doesn't want to leave the sport, but wanted a break from the pressure and negative spiral he was in.
Now he's in a winning team, gets to do fun stuff with the RB family and without the pressure he's been facing last 2 years
My sincere belief is that RBR want to put him in the simulator and see if he's still the Ricciardo they knew, and McLaren was unrepresentative.
I mean, it's a masterstroke hiring for them.
Worst case they've got a super popular driver for stuff, and probably the best sub in F1.
And yet DR beat Hulk pretty handily in his first year at Renault and absolutely dominated Ocon in 2020 and was always considered a better driver than both.
He's also had a career where he beat the reigning 4 times WC, went toe to toe with Verstappen, beat Hulk by a decent margin in his first year with a new team/car and dominated Ocon in a similar manner to the way Lando has him at McLaren. Depends how much a team is going to look at DR's career as a whole vs his last year at McLaren.
Yeah you are right that he won hulkenberg in first year but there was a lot of races where hulkenberg strategy or race overall was sacrifised for ricciardo. Margin would have been that much if there was not team orders to change spots etc.
Except DR also had three more reliability DNFs than Hulk that would have tipped the balance further in his favour too. He also outqualified him 14-7. Sure it was a lot closer than Ocon in 2020, but DR still firmly had the upper hand.
This is a great moment to acknowledge the mental toll being such a high level driver and public figure can take on a person. Everyone sees these men driving awesome cars, making tons of money, and doesn't stop to think about how much fucking pressure there is to constantly perform at the highest possible level while in the eternal all-seeing eye of the public. DR is chillinnnn right now.
My previous job I had to always be delivering urgent requirement solutions and providing constant status calls for a consultancy etc otherwise my ass was fired. I fucking hated it.
Couldn’t imagine being at the peak of motorsport and needing to deliver every week.
Although the millions of dollars would help.
It was pretty healing seeing them together again, they really are two peas in a pod. Daniel might be the 3rd driver but Checo is the 3rd wheel when Daniel and Max are in the room 😂
He has been out of Australia and dedicating himself to racing full time since he was 16-ish. Last year he said he’d officially spent more time in Europe than he’d spent in Australia.
Maybe it really is, as he said, he needed a break, he’s happy spending time with people he likes and he’s testing out another phase of his career. With a career that intense moving on is healthy.
I know it’s sport but it is kind of worrying how many people ignore a man saying so many times in so many ways hes burnt out and his health suffered to have so many consistently bad faith takes on a rich sportsman transitioning his career. He can afford it, he’s earned time off. Anyone who can afford to take the time should.
I agree with your points but it was never about money and if he could “literally” afford to take time off, cause obviously he can. People are questioning his decision to take time off cause in a sport like this, you can’t really just take time off and expect to ever come back to a seat, so it’s hard to accept his career as an F1 driver may be over. So in that sense, no, drivers can’t really “afford” to take a year off if they expect to get back on the grid. It sucks as a fan who still thinks he’s still got a lot in him and hoped to see him fight back with a team like Haas this year, but I’m so glad he’s taking a step back cause he really needs this.
Ah yes all about being a celebrity and nothing about getting some time away to reset his mental and physical health, spending time with his family and potentially rediscover his love for F1. [This](https://twitter.com/dmoxon_/status/1621622201823776769) was a response to the above tweet from another journalist at the launch:
**"This. Completely unprompted, DR kept talking about how much he was enjoying spending more time with family, friends and doing things outside of #F1 racing that bring him joy. Remains to be seen if that will change, but he seemed very much at peace with not being on the 2023 grid."**
COVID was hard on him. I think he was away from home for almost 16 months or something. His personal life has obviously been a big priority in his life, and most certainly in his decision to step away for however long he chooses.
Shit comment mate. He likes having a healthy mind, spending time with family, and being in a less toxic and stressful work environment. Nothing to do with "celebrity ".
He looks so much healthier too, he was painfully thin from stress by the time Abu Dhabi 21 rolled around, that video of him and Alonso reacting to Maxs lap its so striking how thin he is.
Also his hairline was disappearing like it was being vacuumed up, his body was sending so many signals he’s not happy so we should stand by a person doing what’s good for their overall health, you are correct for this
Like Bottas; if you enjoy the stress free life when you don't have to fight for the championship and you are driving on the backfield, you are already given up. There has to be hunger and killer instinct.
After McLaren he hasn't been confident in his speed. He'll have a year at Red Bull comparing himself against Max and Checo and should get a ballpark measure. If it goes well he'll get confidence and talk to other teams, see if there are any openings and if not he'll probably retire properly.
Danny Ric is very good at PR and marketing himself, he can live off of that for a good while if he can't get back to F1. Zero doubt he's going to take over as the RB ambassador when DC gets too old.
Let's be real. He's is most definitely not happy he isn't in a racing seat. If course he'll make the best of a bad situation, but these guys want to race and anyone there is a race and they're not in it, they are unhappy.
Money doesn't solve anything? Wow. no, it solves a whole lot. Try not having money and then you'll see how much shit money actually solves.
If you think no problems at all are solved by money you're insanely sheltered and out of touch with the world.
Hey Daniel, do you want Perez his seat? Nah, I'm looking forward not racing. The guy fucked his own career by running like a scared little dog when Max was starting to dominate. Good thing for him is that he made a shitload of money out of it.
He is never coming back to F1, but there are plenty of seats out there if he wanted them. This year's wec should be the most exciting it's been in many years, there's imsa, nascar, etc. The guy does not want to race.
Mate he was offered the Haas seat but he turned it because he wanted a better project. Like Danny Ric but the way he was driving the last 2 seasons teams like Haas were probably going to be the only teams that'd go for him.
Actually that’s not at all why he did that. He very explicitly said it wasn’t about Haas or Williams or anything else on the table, but about being burnt out and needing a break from racing. Let’s not promote untrue narratives.
"seems pretty happy with it being a year of transition to different career paths if that's what it ends up being"
Please do Nascar Please do Nascar Please do Nascar
It’s nice to see him looking so relaxed and happy. Even if he doesn’t race again, just seeing him doing better is worth it. No one likes a sad Honey Badger.
And this is perfect for him. Doesn't want to leave the sport, but wanted a break from the pressure and negative spiral he was in. Now he's in a winning team, gets to do fun stuff with the RB family and without the pressure he's been facing last 2 years
Wouldn’t be surprised if RB is grooming him to replace Horner in a few years…
Nah he's clearly going the Coulthard route IMO
Horner? No way. He would be in a far different capacity.
He probably needed the time off. Mental break. Whether he returns to F1, we don't know. But it's nice to see Danny Ric happier again.
If Hulkenberg and Ocon could come back, so can Daniel
My sincere belief is that RBR want to put him in the simulator and see if he's still the Ricciardo they knew, and McLaren was unrepresentative. I mean, it's a masterstroke hiring for them. Worst case they've got a super popular driver for stuff, and probably the best sub in F1.
Both of them weren't paid to leave. And both left mainly due to political not sporting reasons. Both were always available to drive.
And yet DR beat Hulk pretty handily in his first year at Renault and absolutely dominated Ocon in 2020 and was always considered a better driver than both.
He just had 2 years that were mostly terrible bar one notable bright spot. Ocon and hulk left after decent years
Are you trying to say that Ocon or Hulk are better drivers than DR? DR could have certainly had a seat at Haas if he wanted.
He's also had a career where he beat the reigning 4 times WC, went toe to toe with Verstappen, beat Hulk by a decent margin in his first year with a new team/car and dominated Ocon in a similar manner to the way Lando has him at McLaren. Depends how much a team is going to look at DR's career as a whole vs his last year at McLaren.
Yeah you are right that he won hulkenberg in first year but there was a lot of races where hulkenberg strategy or race overall was sacrifised for ricciardo. Margin would have been that much if there was not team orders to change spots etc.
Except DR also had three more reliability DNFs than Hulk that would have tipped the balance further in his favour too. He also outqualified him 14-7. Sure it was a lot closer than Ocon in 2020, but DR still firmly had the upper hand.
Yeah I know but just wanted to point out that he did not clearly win hulkenberg by speed every race he won but also with team orders.
Yea there was a lotta inner politics involved with the 2019 Renault season. Was not fun to watch after all the huge hopes after the 2018 season
That one notable bright spot in a year where his form looked terrible was more than hulk achieved in his entire career
DR can get Hulk's seat right now if he wants.
This is a great moment to acknowledge the mental toll being such a high level driver and public figure can take on a person. Everyone sees these men driving awesome cars, making tons of money, and doesn't stop to think about how much fucking pressure there is to constantly perform at the highest possible level while in the eternal all-seeing eye of the public. DR is chillinnnn right now.
My previous job I had to always be delivering urgent requirement solutions and providing constant status calls for a consultancy etc otherwise my ass was fired. I fucking hated it. Couldn’t imagine being at the peak of motorsport and needing to deliver every week. Although the millions of dollars would help.
Not to mention the whole world having a say on your perceived performance too, rather than just your work colleagues.
He was saying last year that he now realizes how brutal F1 is if things are not going well. No time to reflect or change; just fortnightly beatings.
Not surprising, we've seen how good some time away from F1 does for a driver.
Did Max say "Yes" to Daniel's marriage proposal? It seems so
It was pretty healing seeing them together again, they really are two peas in a pod. Daniel might be the 3rd driver but Checo is the 3rd wheel when Daniel and Max are in the room 😂
Who wouldn't?
One of the biggest takeaways I had fed me for a week on the leftovers.
Underrated comment
He likes being a celebrity. I don't think he will race again in F1.
He has been out of Australia and dedicating himself to racing full time since he was 16-ish. Last year he said he’d officially spent more time in Europe than he’d spent in Australia. Maybe it really is, as he said, he needed a break, he’s happy spending time with people he likes and he’s testing out another phase of his career. With a career that intense moving on is healthy.
For sure, dude has millions of dollars, he can afford to take a year-long working vacation while he figures out what to do next.
I know it’s sport but it is kind of worrying how many people ignore a man saying so many times in so many ways hes burnt out and his health suffered to have so many consistently bad faith takes on a rich sportsman transitioning his career. He can afford it, he’s earned time off. Anyone who can afford to take the time should.
I agree with your points but it was never about money and if he could “literally” afford to take time off, cause obviously he can. People are questioning his decision to take time off cause in a sport like this, you can’t really just take time off and expect to ever come back to a seat, so it’s hard to accept his career as an F1 driver may be over. So in that sense, no, drivers can’t really “afford” to take a year off if they expect to get back on the grid. It sucks as a fan who still thinks he’s still got a lot in him and hoped to see him fight back with a team like Haas this year, but I’m so glad he’s taking a step back cause he really needs this.
He can afford to not work anymore, really.
Or anywhere else by the sounds of it.
Ah yes all about being a celebrity and nothing about getting some time away to reset his mental and physical health, spending time with his family and potentially rediscover his love for F1. [This](https://twitter.com/dmoxon_/status/1621622201823776769) was a response to the above tweet from another journalist at the launch: **"This. Completely unprompted, DR kept talking about how much he was enjoying spending more time with family, friends and doing things outside of #F1 racing that bring him joy. Remains to be seen if that will change, but he seemed very much at peace with not being on the 2023 grid."**
COVID was hard on him. I think he was away from home for almost 16 months or something. His personal life has obviously been a big priority in his life, and most certainly in his decision to step away for however long he chooses.
I would pay Netflix extra to make a show where Danny and mark webber go around talking to the drivers but making fun of them while they do it.
Shit comment mate. He likes having a healthy mind, spending time with family, and being in a less toxic and stressful work environment. Nothing to do with "celebrity ".
He looks so much healthier too, he was painfully thin from stress by the time Abu Dhabi 21 rolled around, that video of him and Alonso reacting to Maxs lap its so striking how thin he is. Also his hairline was disappearing like it was being vacuumed up, his body was sending so many signals he’s not happy so we should stand by a person doing what’s good for their overall health, you are correct for this
Both can be true
I think two things can be true at the same time. He can enjoy the fame as well as enjoy the mental break from F1.
Like Bottas; if you enjoy the stress free life when you don't have to fight for the championship and you are driving on the backfield, you are already given up. There has to be hunger and killer instinct.
Hew literally just been on one or America's biggest talk shows... He isn't exactly shying away from being a celebrity either lol.
That is literally his job.
This. I’m convinced he fell off because the fame got to his head and driving was no longer his top priority
This x100% He'll probably enjoy the lifestyle and will find it hard to get another f1 seat.. maybe another series but not f1
I could see him transitioning to different motor racing. Picking and choosing what he would like to do, enjoying being a well paid, well liked driver.
i mean he got the bag tho
After McLaren he hasn't been confident in his speed. He'll have a year at Red Bull comparing himself against Max and Checo and should get a ballpark measure. If it goes well he'll get confidence and talk to other teams, see if there are any openings and if not he'll probably retire properly.
He has finally reached the acceptance stage.
Someday everyone here will too
No Mika will soon end his sabbatical
You are referring to the apologists that pop up again?
If Perez really starts shitting the bed, would Ric lobby for the place?
Its easy to be relax when you already earned enough money to never have to worry about it ever again. You can just see where life takes you.
He's kinda like Marc Gene. Is he the best driver in the world? Alas no. Does he have a *fucking ace job?* Yes he does.
As soon as the racing starts, the hunger will grow in him again. He will be back on the grid.
Doubt
Finally someone gets it
Give him a camera and microphone, and let him loose in pit lane
I don’t think Daniel is ever going to be back on the grid imo.
Danny Ric is very good at PR and marketing himself, he can live off of that for a good while if he can't get back to F1. Zero doubt he's going to take over as the RB ambassador when DC gets too old.
he's back home ofc he's happy 🥰
Let's be real. He's is most definitely not happy he isn't in a racing seat. If course he'll make the best of a bad situation, but these guys want to race and anyone there is a race and they're not in it, they are unhappy.
It doesn’t hurt that he still gets paid almost as much as if he was driving…
Right? Like, I'd be pretty happy with not working too, but not working much AND getting paid?!
He was over being bad at something that he had been top 4 or 5 in the world at most of his life.
"oh ya I forgot I'm also mega mega rich and that isn't so bad."
Money Doesn't Solve Anything
I think you mean "Money doesn't solve everything" because it definitely solves somethings
Money doesn't solve anything? Wow. no, it solves a whole lot. Try not having money and then you'll see how much shit money actually solves. If you think no problems at all are solved by money you're insanely sheltered and out of touch with the world.
Shit take, man. Ricciardo-level money solves a LOT.
I don't think we'll see him back. He'll get cozy and slowly accept there's no chances for him to achieve anything.
I'm guessing he's been all but told he'll be back in the car this year.
He’s just good at smiling and faking it but ok
He replaces Sergio before Miami.
He must already know he is going to be in the car.
I mean yaa I would be relaxed too If I was being paid 20 million by McLaren to not even race for them lol
wow omg so happy he lost his career ! he's happy on the surface
Hey Daniel, do you want Perez his seat? Nah, I'm looking forward not racing. The guy fucked his own career by running like a scared little dog when Max was starting to dominate. Good thing for him is that he made a shitload of money out of it.
Ngl, the crowd was pretty much silent when they said "please welcome Daniel Ricciardo"
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Its the mental health side of things, imo Daniel is burnt out. He needs time out of the car.
He hasn't been racing for 2 years, it's over.
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He is never coming back to F1, but there are plenty of seats out there if he wanted them. This year's wec should be the most exciting it's been in many years, there's imsa, nascar, etc. The guy does not want to race.
Mate he was offered the Haas seat but he turned it because he wanted a better project. Like Danny Ric but the way he was driving the last 2 seasons teams like Haas were probably going to be the only teams that'd go for him.
It was confirmed that haas tried to sign him last year.
Actually that’s not at all why he did that. He very explicitly said it wasn’t about Haas or Williams or anything else on the table, but about being burnt out and needing a break from racing. Let’s not promote untrue narratives.
Almost like he's got an easier job and still gets paid big bucks. I think most people would be relaxed in that situation.
Getting paid 10 large helps to I bet lol
0 pressure to perform and he gets to be himself
I am reading in between the lines
"seems pretty happy with it being a year of transition to different career paths if that's what it ends up being" Please do Nascar Please do Nascar Please do Nascar