Daniel Ricciardo took the Formula One world by storm in 2014, when he consistently outperformed Red Bull teammate and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. Ricciardo recorded three Grand Prix victories and eight podium finishes in the championship to finish third in the driver’s standings. Only Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg did better, no doubt aided by their vastly superior cars. The Western Australian, a relative unknown at the start of the year, was now the toast of the town. His success reportedly prompted Vettel to leave Red Bull and join Ferrari at the end of the year. To upstage the sport’s top-dog, especially when he is in the same team, is sure to do wonders for Ricciardo’s career.
Early into the 2015 season, the 25-year-old spoke to Metroplus about his breakthrough season and his association with Wings for Life – a non-profit organisation that funds research into finding a cure for spinal cord injury. On May 3, Ricciardo will compete in the Wings for Life World Run — a unique multi-location event. Excerpts from an interview:
What factors - circumstances, family support etc - helped you achieve success last year?
My family has been my biggest support, and I thank them for letting me pursue racing. It’s not a traditional sport. As a kid, mum was quite scared to let me race because it is one of the more dangerous sports to do as a nine-year-old. In terms of racing drivers, I would say Mark Webber (fellow Australian, who was replaced by Ricciardo in the Red Bull team) – because he moved from Australia to Europe and became successful. He gave us hope, and showed the reality that could be achieved. Red Bull has been immensely important. They gave me the opportunity to make F1 a realistic goal for me. They have supported me since I was 18 (Ricciardo was part of the Red Bull young driver scheme). I performed and achieved the rest, but they laid it all out on the table for me. I owe a lot to them.
What was the highlight of the 2014 season?
Fortunately, I have had many highlights, but I obviously can’t take away from the first win. So it has to be Canada on June 8 – it’s something I will never forget. There were a lot of positives from last year as I start the 2015 campaign.
What are your expectations from the 2015 season?
I feel really good coming into the 2015 season. Compared to last year, I come in now with a bit of confidence. I’ll just try and continue from where I left off in 2014!
I’m excited to build on what we have achieved and learnt, to give Mercedes a good fight.
Describe your favourite F1 one-on-one battle.
At the time, I thought passing (Sergio) Perez in Canada was the one because when I hit the brakes, I really thought I’d overdone it and was going off – but I just held it on the grass. But, I think I’d have to go for passing Sebastian (Vettel) at Monza. It was something I’d never attempted before - lifting throttle, crossing lanes. That was pretty good. It was a split-second decision, I came off the throttle, cut in and scraped by.
Give us your thoughts on the rule changes - engine and aerodynamic modifications - for this season .
I’m not very interested in electronics. I mean, more power would always be nice. We definitely would love to go faster.
I would love more aerodynamic grips so we can corner faster. But, at the same time, I think F1 is in a good place now as we can overtake. You don’t want to go back 10 or 15 years ago when it was quite boring. I think everyone wants the sound back. So that’s probably the one thing.
Tell us about your association with Wings for Life. What is your primary goal as a runner in this event?
There are a lot of great causes out there, and this is a very strong one. I know a couple of people who have been affected by spinal cord injury; it’s a serious injury and one I believe there is a cure for out there somewhere.
It’s within the Red Bull family as well, so it’s one I hold close to me. I think it’ll be heaps of fun . It’s a pretty unique event - running until you’re exhausted and the catcher car comes to you.
