EXCLUSIVE: Why returning F1 star Daniel Ricciardo is ‘not scared about retirement’
After losing his McLaren seat at the end of last season, Ricciardo returned to Red Bull as a third driver for 2023 and had been playing a supporting role to 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Sergio Perez.
But the 34-year-old Australian is now preparing to make a sensational return to the F1 grid, replacing168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: Nyck de Vries at Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri w🎉ith immediate effe𒅌ct.
Speaking four days prior to the announcement at the British Grand Prix, Ricciardo exclusively told mahbx.com that he 16🗹8澳洲😼幸运5官方开奖结果历史:would accept a drive with AlphaTauri if it facilitated a full-t🔴ime Red Bull return.
Asked if he sees himself retired as ꦺan F1 world champion five years from now, Ricciardo chuckled: “Oh shit yeah, that would be cool!”
Ricciardo proceeded to provide a fascinating insight into his mindset about retirement as he considered the decision made by 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Nico Rosberg, who sensationally quit F1 days after beating 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton to his maiden world title in 2016.
“If I am a world champion, I don’t know if 𒁏I’ll be retired, b💫ecause that would mean that things are going well,” he continued.
“But then I do look at some sports, I follow UFC a lot and a lot of fighters do stay a bit too long and their career kind of tapers. There is something kind of coo🧸l about going out on top.
“Then I look at [Nico] Rosberg and I get it, but it also felt like maybe on🐈e year too early. So it’s hard t🉐o find that balance.
“If I was to win a world title next year, no I wouldn’t retire. But if I was to win one in five years, maybe th🦹en I’d be like ‘that’s a great way to sign off’.”
It is a dilemma that now faces Hamilton. After controversially missing out on a record-breaking eighth world title at the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Briton has been unable to challenge Verstappen for the world champ🦹ionship.
Since Mercedes’ failure to successfully grasp new technical regulations that were introduced in 2022, Hamilton has not been able to add to his incredible t💖ally of pole positions or race wins, with his last victory remarkably coming at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Despite Mercedes’ competitive struggles, the seven-time world champion is set to extend his contract in his ongoing quest to bow out of F1 having surpassed 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Michael Schumacher’s record.
“I think this is the case with many athletes, and I’m not saying this is the case with Lewis or anyone else, but in general, I think there’s a lot who are probably scared of retirement,” Ricciardo said🎉 when asked about Hamilton’s situation.
“When you’ve lived on this awesome, euphoric level for so long, the thought of losing that is maybe scary. And I underꦆstand that. As long as that’s no𓄧t the thing stopping you from retiring then you are okay.
“If you are kind of hanging onto the sport because you are scared of what happens next, then th▨at’s where it’s maybe it’s like it’s getting a bit long.
“I think that’s one thing where, speaki൩ng of me personally, this year I feel a lot more comfort about the day I do officially retire. Iಞ’m not scared about retirement.
“I’ve had a really fun year, I’ve done things. Life after racing is totally good and I’v🦄e got other hobbies and interests. I don’t think that’s 𒁃a daunting thought for me.
“But it’s important, especially for young kids coming up. Of course you have to 𒐪put your heart and soul into t🦂he sport, but try to have something or create something beyond racing so you don’t feel like a fish out of water. Life advice!”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix♔ for mahbx.com arܫound the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
