feature-image

Reuters

feature-image

Reuters

Daniel Ricciardo is known for his unwavering smile; a bad weekend or a good one, the smile remains constant. However, the driver reveals that, in reality, it’s a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation for him.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

The self-acclaimed Honey Badger emulates his spirit animal completely. A sweet person outside the track, much of the laughter, can be sourced to Ricciardo. However, put the guy in the tub and he is ruthless. With a racecraft characterized by late braking and steely defense, Ricciardo is one to watch out for. He credits this to hatred for losing.

ADVERTISEMENT

article-image

Reuters

“As a kid, I was always a raw competitor in everything, whether it was table tennis or a game of Uno, I just hated losing.” Yet, Daniel believes it is a little different now. “And I think over the years and probably maturity, I’ve felt better with defeat.” 

Read more: Legendary Spa F1 Circuit Teases the Prospect of Hosting NASCAR Cup Series Race in 2022

ADVERTISEMENT

But not too different.

ADVERTISEMENT

“But I’m still in some ways a sore loser where I just f*cking hate it, you know?”

Daniel Ricciardo explains his moments of rage

The usually sunny and bright driver has had his dark moments over the course of his career. Especially times at Red Bull where there’s a hole in the wall or the door- all out of pure rage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ricciardo explained that those emotions only stem from frustrations that he could have done better. “The times when I was miles off, I wasn’t throwing chairs because it was more of a case of ‘hands up, I don’t know what to do. But if it’s a situation where I’m a tenth off, but I know the tenth was on the table and I didn’t get it, that’s when it just eats me inside.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Now, the doors and walls remain intact. Now, he vents his anger in better ways. “Michael, my trainer, knows when I’m like this to kind of hug me and restrain me until I calm down!”

article-image

Reuters

Additionally, Ricciardo finds his duality surprising himself. “It’s funny because people probably wouldn’t expect that from me — I’m an easygoing, happy guy — but when there’s competition in place, I’m a bit of a f*cking psychopath I guess.”

Regardless, the Aussie remains one of the most loved personalities on the track. Despite having a difficult few years behind him, Ricciardo now enjoys the drive; whether that leads to a win in Monza or the frustrations of Hungary.

Watch this story: Everything You Need to Know About Daniel Ricciardo’s Famous Tattoos

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Shreya Sanjeev

795 Articles

Shreya Sanjeev is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Having attained a journalism degree from St Xavier's College, she finds comfort in the sound of her keyboard while typing and excitement in the sound of F1 cars speeding on a track. A street circuit and Daniel Ricciardo fan through and through, Shreya claims the 2018 Monaco GP to be one of her favorite races of all time. When she's not watching F1 races, she can be found watching NBA matches and rooting for the Golden State Warriors.

Know more

ADVERTISEMENT