The secret life of... Daniel Ricciardo

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo may be one of the most outgoing and effusive drivers on the F1 grid, but that doesn't mean you know all there is to know about the Australian. Far from it, in fact...

Q: Apart from driving a Formula 1 car, what is your favourite buzz? Daniel Ricciardo: Live music. I am a frequent concert goer. Personally, I am brilliant at playing air guitar! (Laughs)

Q: Which film last made you cry? DR: The Fault in Our Stars. I saw it on the plane to Brazil and was really crying. I have a theory that being on a plane makes you more emotional: either I cry, or if it is a comedy I laugh really loud.

Q: What are you afraid of? DR: The usual stuff: snakes, sharks and spiders. On an emotional level I would say regrets. Not that I have them, but it’s not something I would like to have.

Q: What did your teachers say about you in your school report? DR: He talks too much!

Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures? DR: Chocolate – I guess like every driver in the paddock.

Q: Do you collect anything? DR: Not anymore. I used to collect Valentino Rossi motorbike models and when I was a kid I collected corks – yes, those things that close a wine bottle. Every time I went with my parents to a restaurant and they had a bottle of wine I took the cork. I still don’t know why I did that… it was a bit weird.

Q: What do you miss most about home when you’re travelling? DR: The weather. And Australian breakfast and coffee. Those are completely underestimated in the rest of the world.

Q: What was your worst buy? DR: I don’t spend stupidly. I am pretty smart with my money.

Q: What’s the most embarrassing mistake you’ve ever made? DR: I usually don’t get embarrassed. And if something really embarrassing happens I laugh it away.

Q: When was the last time you were really angry? DR: Brazil last year – not the race, but qualifying. Then I had an event that night and there was some guy who really p***** me off.

Q: Which superpower would you prefer: being able to fly or being able to become invisible? DR: Being able to fly. Why would somebody as good looking as I am want to be invisible! (Laughs)

Q: DO you sing in the shower - and if so what? DR: Yes – a lot! Country music – something simple that I can sing along to.

Q: Do you believe in love at first sight? DR: I believe in attraction first – love takes time. I have probably now outgrown that love at first sight thing. Had you asked me 10 years ago I would have said yes.

Q: What’s the worst thing about being famous? DR: Demands. Too many people having your email address.

Q: You can invite three people to dinner, living or dead. Who do you invite? DR: A comedian: Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell. A pretty girl: Sophia Bush – she was in a TV series when I was younger. And a cool musician: Bob Dylan.

Q: What was the best thing about being a child? DR: The energy that you had – without having any commitments.

Q: What should everyone try once in their lifetime? DR: Skydiving. The feeling is not natural – it’s a bit out of this world.