‘Happy Guy’ Daniel Ricciardo Explains What Makes Him ‘A F*cking Psychopath’

Daniel Ricciardo is known for his unwavering smile; a bad weekend or a good one, the smile remains constant. However, the driver reveals that, in reality, it’s a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation for him.

The self-acclaimed Honey Badger emulates his spirit animal completely. A sweet person outside the track, much of the laughter, can be sourced to Ricciardo. However, put the guy in the tub and he is ruthless. With a racecraft characterized by late braking and steely defense, Ricciardo is one to watch out for. He credits this to hatred for losing.

“As a kid, I was always a raw competitor in everything, whether it was table tennis or a game of Uno, I just hated losing.” Yet, Daniel believes it is a little different now. “And I think over the years and probably maturity, I’ve felt better with defeat.” 

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But not too different.

“But I’m still in some ways a sore loser where I just f*cking hate it, you know?”

Daniel Ricciardo explains his moments of rage

The usually sunny and bright driver has had his dark moments over the course of his career. Especially times at Red Bull where there’s a hole in the wall or the door- all out of pure rage.

Ricciardo explained that those emotions only stem from frustrations that he could have done better. “The times when I was miles off, I wasn’t throwing chairs because it was more of a case of ‘hands up, I don’t know what to do. But if it’s a situation where I’m a tenth off, but I know the tenth was on the table and I didn’t get it, that’s when it just eats me inside.”

Now, the doors and walls remain intact. Now, he vents his anger in better ways. “Michael, my trainer, knows when I’m like this to kind of hug me and restrain me until I calm down!”

Additionally, Ricciardo finds his duality surprising himself. “It’s funny because people probably wouldn’t expect that from me — I’m an easygoing, happy guy — but when there’s competition in place, I’m a bit of a f*cking psychopath I guess.”

Regardless, the Aussie remains one of the most loved personalities on the track. Despite having a difficult few years behind him, Ricciardo now enjoys the drive; whether that leads to a win in Monza or the frustrations of Hungary.

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