AUSTIN, Texas: The greatest grin in Formula One is back on the racing grid — again.
Daniel Ricciardo now desires to ship outcomes worthy of his return for AlphaTauri this season and that coveted seat in 2024. Already given one profession lifeline this season, Ricciardo missed the final 5 races with a damaged left hand. But he returns this week to the U.S. Grand Prix, the place the 34-year-old Australian has a historical past of getting some cheeky enjoyable.
“Hi guys! Long time no see,” Ricciardo stated to the group of his fellow drivers when he walked into Thursday’s information convention.
“I’m very happy to be back. The hand feels good,” Ricciardo stated, including that the bone break that required surgical procedure was worse than initially anticipated.
“(Recovery) was tougher than I thought. But I’m probably a bit of a wuss as well,” he stated.
Ricciardo has usually turned the Circuit of the Americas exterior Texas’ capital metropolis right into a little bit of a private playground. He has been recognized to enter the paddock using a horse, to imitate a Western accent in interviews, and put on a University of Texas Longhorns basketball jersey within the pre-race driver parade.
Eventually there should be a severe aspect to the racing, which has not been so good for Ricciardo lately. At instances it has been painful, each emotionally and bodily.
“First and foremost, I see myself as a race car driver, not an entertainer,” he stated. “I want to go racing … make sure I am seen as a race car driver who is still hungry and determined and not just here for a good time.”
Ricciardo’s finest racing years have been with Red Bull, the place he claimed seven of his eight profession victories and twice completed on the rostrum in Austin in 2014 and 2016. Then got here a winless two-year stint with Renault earlier than one other transfer to McLaren.
The drive with McLaren produced the staff’s first win in a decade. But it was in any other case disappointing as he was routinely outraced by teammate Lando Norris.
The smile was fading, and then gone when Ricciardo and McLaren cut up with a buyout of the ultimate 12 months of his contract.
Red Bull introduced Ricciardo back as a reserve driver for 2023. That acquired him back within the paddock, nevertheless it additionally concurrently elevated his frustration that he was watching others race. Then got here the break that would but revive his profession.
AlphaTauri lower unfastened rookie Nyck De Vries after 10 races and gave the seat to Ricciardo. He completed thirteenth in Hungary and sixteenth in Belgium, then broke his hand at the Dutch Grand Prix.
He was as soon as again caught watching whereas New Zealand’s Liam Lawson drove in his place 5 races and was ok to earn a reserve slot with AlphaTauri for subsequent season.
“He’s young. It’s not like he’s at the end of his career,” Ricciardo stated of Lawson. “Keep assisting, keep your head down. If he keeps on that course, his time will come.”
Ricciardo acquired to climb back into his automobile Thursday morning and rapidly confirmed his toothy grin. He stated he’s match and prepared for the bumpy journey across the Austin racetrack.
“It does beat you up,” Ricciardo stated. “But I think I like that.”
BIG FINES
The FIA, which governs the racing aspect of F1, on Thursday raised the potential fines race stewards can impose on drivers from a most of 250,000 euros ($264,000) to 1 million euros ($1.06 million).
That surprised just a few drivers who questioned what sort of infraction may draw such an enormous nice.
“Maybe crossing the track?” Red Bull’s season champion Max Verstappen. He was teasing Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who was fined 50,000 euros ($53,000) for strolling throughout the racetrack after a crash with teammate George Russell at the Qatar Grand Prix two weeks in the past.
The FIA’s announcement didn’t say what sort of incident may draw such a nice. But it famous that the 250,000 euro most had not been raised in 12 years, and stated it “does not reflect the current needs of motor sport.”
“(One million) is a huge amount. I don’t know what deserves that. Some drivers are making less than that!” Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc stated.
“Charles could give his watch,” Haas F1’s Kevin Magnussen stated.
Hamilton struck a extra severe tone.
“If they are going to be fining 1 million, let’s be sure 100% of that goes to a proper cause. There’s a lot of money in this industry … so many causes around the world,” Hamilton stated. “That’s the only way they’ll get that money from me.”
TEXAS HEAT
Many of the drivers complained after Qatar of a grueling drive within the scorching desert warmth. Williams’ Logan Sargeant needed to retire early. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll stated he felt dizzy. Alpine’s Estebon Ocon admitted after the race he threw up in his helmet.
All of that prompted the FIA to announce it could think about methods to help drivers in excessive circumstances.
And what do they get this week? Another blast of Texas warmth with temperatures anticipated above 90 levels Fahrenheit (32 Celsius).
None of the drivers appeared apprehensive the Texas warmth can be as depressing.
“I don’t think that’s possible,” Sargeant stated. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything like I did in Qatar.”
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Disclaimer: This put up has been auto-published from an company feed with none modifications to the textual content and has not been reviewed by an editor
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
