The happiest face on the grid, Daniel Ricciardo, sat down with Joe Wicks for a BBC podcast. While talking about his dream job- the steadfast reason behind his smile, Daniel discusses some downfalls the job brings with it.

It may be a thrilling and powerful feeling on the track, but can subsequently be physically and emotionally draining. Ricciardo mentions racing is an individualistic feeling.

Unlike other sports, where there are teams; racing on the track can feel isolating. “From the driving point of view, it feels very individual because we’re strapped in, alone in these cars for 90 minutes, 2 hours of the race, so at times it does feel very one on one and kinda lonely as well.”

Daniel describes the sport as a team sport, nonetheless, with over 800 people working together, trying to get the car to the top. Pit stops, engineers, strategists- he credits the team f0r getting the car to perform.

Daniel Ricciardo- On winning the race

In the podcast, the Honey Badger describes the trials of winning in the sport. “It’s unlike a team sport, where you say you’re winning 50% of the time. You don’t win as often in Formula One in particular.”

For someone who has had his fair share of iconic victories, missing out on the first step of the podium could be mentally taxing.

Read More: Braveheart Daniel Ricciardo Reveals His Ordeal With Fever During Carlos Sainz F1 Battle at Silverstone

Ricciardo comments, “I certainly try and have perspective over the course of it… It is quite difficult. Obviously, winning is why we do it. We wanna try and prove we’re the best in the world and there’s a lot of other things that go with it.”

The Aussie has confessed to having a hard time adjusting to the car and getting used to his new team. However, he has been showing improvement. Daniel Ricciardo’s era with Red Bull gave him a lot of opportunities to taste the victor’s champagne.

Ever since he left the team, it hasn’t been the same with Danny. After a 2-year-stint with Renault, we behold him in the orange-blue race suit at McLaren.

A new car, a new team, still no podiums. For a man who was once third on the drivers’ board, DR3 now sits eighth. With a teammate almost a decade younger, performing way better, it must frustrate the Aussie driver.

By and by, the Perth driver is sure to keep on smiling. His race-craft and incredible ability to overtake still shines brightly on the track.

After a season-best P5 in Silverstone, the future still looks hopeful for Daniel. Its headphones on and full-send for Ricciardo as we approach the Hungarian GP next week.

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