A joker with a permanent smile outside a Formula One car, Daniel Ricciardo is a man transformed once behind the wheel - and he’s won a legion of fans as a result. But what underpins it - what keeps the ‘smiling assassin’ ticking? We quizzed him to find out...
What are the essential elements of your pre-race routine?
Daniel Ricciardo: Music, stretching and proteins!
What are the essential ingredients of a good night out?
DR: Good alcohol, good music and good company.
(L to R): Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Scuderia Toro Rosso and Mark Webber (AUS) Red Bull Racing at the Qantas Party. Formula One World Championship, Rd1, Australian Grand Prix, Preparations, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday 14 March 2013.
Good alcohol, good music and good company...
Daniel Ricciardo’s recipe for a good night out
What essential items must you have in your driver’s room/motorhome at a race?
DR: Laptop, iPod - and food!
What essential items must you always have in your fridge at home?
DR: Oh, not much really. If you think about it, it boils down to water.
What are the essential qualities of a good F1 team mate?
DR: Fair, respectful and competitive.
Your essential tip for avoiding stress at airports?
DR: Music gets you by! (laughs)
What are the essential qualities of an F1 driver?
DR: Being ruthless. And don’t have any illusions - every one of us guys here has a big portion [of ruthlessness] within them. You have to.
Race winnner Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari celebrates with Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing in parc ferme at Formula One World Championship, Rd10, Hungarian Grand Prix, Race, Hungaroring, Hungary, Sunday 26 July 2015.
Every one of us guys here has a big portion within them - you have to.
Daniel Ricciardo on ruthlessness
What are the essential elements of great racing circuit?
DR: High-speed corners, good kerbs that you can jump across, and not much run-off.
What app is it essential to have on your phone?
DR: Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp.
What are the essential qualities of a team boss?
DR: Strong, firm and honest.
What are your essential requirements at a hotel?
DR: I am a simple boy. I don’t need much: a good bed and a good shower. That’s about it.
What is the essential Grand Prix every fan should attend at least once in their lifetime?
DR: Monaco.
What are your essentials for a good night’s sleep?
DR: To be honest I don’t read much, but a book helps to put me to sleep. It takes everything off your mind.
What are the essential items you must have with you while travelling?
DR: Passport, iPod, phone, wallet - and a good mood!
Go for it boy!
Daniel Ricciardo’s tip for aspiring F1 drivers
What is essential to help you wake up in the morning?
DR: An alarm clock with a ‘jump-out-of-bed’ alarm tone! Mostly never welcomed, but it helps.
What is the essential F1 corner?
DR: The swimming pool in Monaco.
What are the essential parts of your training regime?
DR: Warm-up and core stability. And then all the things that everybody does: running and cycling.
What is the personal quality most essential for success in F1 racing?
DR: Determination and passion.
What is your essential tip for the aspiring F1 driver?
DR: Go for it boy!
