Beyond the Podium: Daniel Ricciardo’s Lasting Impact on F1
Daniel Ricciardo’s recent departure from Formula One has me reminiscing about the first-ever race I attended—a race that highlighted his larger-than-life presence in the sport and left an indelible mark on my love for the spectacle that is Formula One.
It was summer 2021 and as my move to London loomed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was about to leave a part of myself behind—my little sister, my constant companion for the past six years. The thought of not seeing her every day made the transition even harder. As the pandemic still made travel between the UK and the Czech Republic complicated, I didn’t know when I’d see her next, so I decided to take her on one more adventure. With her love for pasta and black truffle and my obsession with Formula One racing, there was only one place to go – the heart of Italy and the temple of speed—Monza.
My sister, who was six at the time and still young enough to believe spending time with me is the ultimate adventure, packed her little Mickey Mouse suitcase and off we went on our Italian escapade. As we stepped off the train at Milano Centrale, the city’s hustle and bustle welcomed us – the honking cars and the hum of rapid Italian conversations, but this time, something felt a little different. The Italian metropolis was buzzing with anticipation, getting ready for the nearby Grand Prix. Everywhere we looked, we could spot Formula One fans already sporting their uniform for the weekend, their allegiance to Ferrari proudly on display.
In Ferrari Territory
If you’ve ever been to or watched the Italian Grand Prix, you know it’s very much a sea of red. Every year, the tifosi, dressed in the Ferrari scarlet colour, flood the National Autodrome and the surrounding city. Loud and proud, adorned with the Cavallino Rampante – the Ferrari Prancing Horse, they’re there to show their undivided adoration for the Maranello team.
We were there as Ricciardo and McLaren fans. It should have felt daunting, maybe even uncomfortable; imagine being an Arsenal fan surrounded by thousands of Tottenham supporters only, but I was pleasantly surprised that was not the case— for anyone wondering, Red Bull fans in Austria can serve that up, no problem. Not in Monza, though. The Tifosi weren’t there to intimidate, catcall, or engage in any other fun pastimes of the sort—they were there purely for their love of the sport, and it showed.
Priorities
Anyone who’s ever been anywhere with a six-year-old knows that if other people have an ice cream, a balloon, or anything of that importance and you don’t, it’s a life-or-death situation that must be remedied immediately. And because I’m a weakling and my sister had her puppy-dog eyes perfected, we found ourselves on a scavenger hunt for a flag—a giant one, ideally on a two-metre pole.
Czech flags, unfortunately, weren’t the hottest product in Milan that season, and buying a Ferrari one felt like treason. So, we settled on the Union Jack in support of McLaren and Lando Norris. With a lighter wallet and a no-longer-seething angel beside me, we set off toward the La Piscina Grandstand.
The number five grandstand sits on the long straight, between the start/finish line and La Prima Variante, the first chicane—in other words, the perfect spot to watch Ricciardo overtake Max Verstappen and take the lead of the race.
It was the first time I’d ever felt euphoria like that—my heart racing, hands shaking. I may or may not have accidentally punched the guy next to me with the flagpole while jumping up and down. Why was I holding the flag at that point, you ask? Well, the novelty has worn off pretty quickly for my little sister. Surprising, I’m well aware.
There I was, my first Formula One race, the sport I fell in love with and my favourite team was leading one and two, about to win their first race for nine years. The Aussie driver who made me obsessed with the sport is about to climb the top step of the podium after a four-year drought. To this day I can’t believe how lucky I was to have experienced that as my first race.
The Honey Badger Effect
My sister and I felt like celebrities in our McLaren shirts and caps, with every single person smiling at us and Ferrari fans stopping to congratulate us on the win. As much as I love the Italians, I don’t believe they would have celebrated just anyone’s victory. The reason for their genuine excitement? Daniel Ricciardo—the F1’s Honey Badger and shoey aficionado who has captured the hearts of so many in the sport.
What is it about Riccardo that makes it impossible not to root for him? Is it because he is the fastest? Or the most ruthless? Is it because he has the most wins under his belt? No.
Ferrari didn’t have the strongest of races that day, yet everyone was leaving with a smile on their face, genuinely happy for DR3 and the Papaya team.
Racing with Heart
For many in the new generation of Formula One fans, Daniel Ricciardo was the one who ignited their passion for the sport. His personality is so intoxicating that you can see other drivers and reporters alike shift in demeanour when he’s around. His infectious smile, playful banter, and genuine love for racing draw people in. He serves as a reminder that the human element in sports can’t be underrated, even in a realm dominated by speed and statistics. While the race itself is thrilling, without someone to root for, it can feel lacklustre and hollow; and that’s what Daniel Ricciardo did for me and so many, showed us the meaning of Formula One.
Ricciardo’s recent departure from Formula One left a sour taste in my mouth. It’s no secret Ricciardo was struggling to find his groove since leaving Red Bull in 2018, but that shouldn’t diminish his legacy in the sport.
Ricciardo at Red Bull
Ricciardo joined Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s junior team, in 2012. Two years later, he was promoted to Red Bull, replacing fellow Aussie Mark Webber and teaming up with four-time and reigning champion Sebastian Vettel. To everyone’s surprise, he not only kept pace with the German but also finished ahead of him in the 2014 championship standings, coming in third after the two Mercedes drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
It’s undeniable that Daniel Ricciardo is an exceptional talent. His remarkable victory against all odds in Monaco and his competitiveness against a generational talent like Max Verstappen serve as proof of that.
Daniel Ricciardo secured seven of his eight race victories while driving for Red Bull, making it all the more disheartening that the team didn’t give him a proper goodbye. He deserves a farewell that allows the paddock, the rest of the grid, and the fans to give him the send-off he truly earned.
