“Ready to Kick Some A**”: Daniel Ricciardo Dismisses Glum US GP to Return to Attacking Ways in Mexico

It is almost unfathomable how someone can keep such a positive outlook despite all the hardships they face in life in Formula 1. How can someone keep themselves from sinking after suffering back-to-back disappointing results for two long years? How can someone keep their head high despite being ousted from their team a year early? And how can someone stay motivated despite suffering setbacks after setbacks? We wouldn’t know. You will have to ask Daniel Ricciardo to get the answer. The Australian showcased this relentless approach to life in F1 once again during his recent interview, where he talked about his expectations for the 2023 Mexican GP.

The Australian was out for over a month, missing five races in the process after suffering a fracture during the early stages of the Dutch GP. However, after multiple speculations, Ricciardo finally marked his return to the track in Austin, but he would rather chalk the 2023 US GP as a race to forget. However, his nothing can keep AlphaTauri man down with his unwavering determination and attitude.

Daniel Ricciardo is “ready to kick some a**” at the 2023 Mexican GP

The Australian’s resolve is absolute, and nothing can dampen it. We, including Ricciardo, are aware the AT04 is not the best car to showcase his talents. However, after the free practice sessions, Ricciardo is feeling confident. He expressed that in his post-practice conversation.

“I’m definitely confident,” Ricciardo told reporters. “I can’t stand here and predict where I will be because who knows in quali and what other teams might do with fuel or engines. But I know what I felt in the car was good and I believe that is a top-10 car tomorrow.”

“So considering some strengths that I felt on a grip level like this, I think it’s positive. Obviously, I’m very complimentary and positive — that’s a fact, but we will still stay level-headed (for qualifying). But it’s nice to be driving and just ready to kick some a**. I’m definitely more comfortable with this car and feel like I can attack it the way I like,” added Ricciardo.

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Ricciardo is up and above in how he is feeling being back on the track, but it wasn’t always like that. In fact, he had to undergo a cathartic process to breathe life into his F1 desires.

Daniel Ricciardo reveals the cathartic process he underwent to shrug off the past

No one can deny what Ricciardo went through was one of the most difficult aspects of life in F1. Not many drivers would’ve survived the treatment he was subjected to. However, it all started looking up when he was signed by Red Bull as their third driver. Red Bull might’ve had other motivations to sign Ricciardo.

However, he was soon called into action, but before that, he needed to feel like himself and his time with Red Bull on the sides played a major role in giving him that confidence to get back to action. Ricciardo admitted that himself during a conversation about his reception at Red Bull and his first experience on the simulator.

Ricciardo said, “Getting back to Red Bull and kind of just kind of the reception I had walking back into that team was really kind of just in a positive way a little bit overwhelming and then getting back on the Sim.”

He added, “Yeah, I was still like a bit unsure how it’s going to go, if the car would feel like it used to and if I was gonna be that for a lack of better words, like the old me so once I done a few sim sessions and yeah, started feeling like myself again. And then just kind of brought me back to normal Daniel where I was yeah falling back in love and I’m ready to go again.”

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The Australian might be back on the track, but she’s still a few steps away from his fairytale end in the sport. We are not sure if he will ever be able to achieve his dream, but if we know the Australian he will work toward it until the very end.