Daniel Ricciardo
Discussion
GCH said:
Say what you want about Ricciardo, but he is a man of integrity and a man of his word - he left Red Bull so as not to be stuck as a number 2 driver to max**, and he’s now going back to be stuck as a number 3 driver to max**
Times change and anyone who believes that couldn’t apply to them is very naive and very mistaken.SmoothCriminal said:
Quits because he doesn't want to be a number 2 and is going back to be a number 3.
Journey man level complete.
He quit RB because he didn’t want to be a number 2 driver. Went to Renault unfortunately it didn’t work out, the same has happened at McLaren. He obviously doesn’t want to leave F1 but no seats available so why not take a chance of being 3rd choice at the team with the best car for the last few years. Journey man level complete.
pablo said:
SmoothCriminal said:
Quits because he doesn't want to be a number 2 and is going back to be a number 3.
Journey man level complete.
And is now free to do Indy 500, WEC and Aussie Supercars….Journey man level complete.
But please do tell us about your stellar motorsport career…
As he’s still a big F1 personality I wouldn’t be surprised if any reserve driver contract has a lot of media/demo duties tied into it as well.
I know Red Bull have a dedicated demo team for the various publicity runs they do as nice as he is, Patrick Friesacher doesn’t have the same cachet as a genuine F1 driver turning up at your event.
At least the cars they run will be familiar to him, I think the current demo car is actually one of Danial’s old race winners iirc?
I think this is a good move for DR, under the circumstances. He keeps himself around in what will no doubt be a well-paid job, with plenty of perks. Perhaps, with the pressure off, his obvious talent will start to surface again. It's by no means inconceivable that in 2024 he could find himself back in a race seat.
A LETTER FROM DANIEL
Daniel pays tribute to McLaren fans ahead of his final race for the team
09:00
20.11.22
Dear Papaya Army,
Firstly, I want to start by saying thank you. Joining McLaren was a big deal for me, a team rich in history with a fantastic fanbase, and you embraced me from day one. Signing on the dotted line for this team and climbing into the car for the first time were proud moments, and I'll always carry that with me.
I also want to thank you because above anything I'm a sports fan, and I know how it feels to ride with someone through adversity and struggle. I know what it is like to support and cheer for someone when it isn't going well, it ruins your Sunday. Through all of that, I've still felt an overwhelming amount of support from you all. You've remained super loyal, and I want to say thank you for that. It would have been easy to jump off the bandwagon, but you've been pretty much unconditional all year. Don't ever underestimate the impact of your support, I certainly haven’t ever taken it for granted.
We'll always have Monza. The win in Monza was a fairy tale, but what's so great about that day is that it wasn't a selfish fairy tale, it wasn't just me, it was the whole team, with Lando getting second and us having the fastest pit-stop. It was the perfect weekend, and that made up for a lot of the more difficult ones because we were rewarded with the highest of highs.
Off the track, it's been a lot of fun and I want to say thank you to the team. When you've been racing with a team, you're connected for life. Sure, you switch teams, you move on, you change, but those connections you make are forever, whether it be with the mechanics, the engineers or any other team members I've worked with. These people have poured everything in over this two-year period, and I won't ever lose the connections I've made here. There is a part of McLaren that I'll always hold close to me. Even with the results this year, we lay that to rest, it is what is, and we move forward. The personal side is that I have a lot of fond memories at McLaren.
I've really enjoyed my time with Lando, not only as teammates but as people and friends, we've had some great times together, and that friendship has blossomed. There's been a lot of great moments between us both on and off camera, and I'm sure you'll all have your own favourite. It started with us banging some drums together and making terrible music, and along the way, we've stuck some rubbish tattoos on each other and were let loose with space hoppers, although Lando might not have loved that so much!! We've had a lot of laughs, we've driven some fast and exciting road cars together and giggled our way through it all.
Finally, I am excited for the future because I feel like I have dealt with the highs and lows from my time here and come out of it. On a personal level, it has not been 'all good, all ways', it has tested my resilience, but I have gotten through it, and now I'm excited to see how I take on challenges moving forwards. All of the tests that I have encountered here and everything that I've learned will only help me.
As much as I'd have loved to have won every race, I am grateful for these experiences. My journey with McLaren may be coming to end, but we’re connected for life now.
Alrighty, back to racing. Time for one last ride, let's do everything we can to finish on a high.
No regrets, just memories.
Daniel.
pablo said:
But please do tell us about your stellar motorsport career…
Why do people post this in regards to celebrity and sports stars?So if you are not a multiple world champion or a world famous celebrity you are not allowed to say anything about their performance or decisions. Okay then fella.
C70R said:
You make it sound like earning loads of money for driving cars is a bad thing...
No not at all, if that was all he was in f1 for but we are led to believe he is not one of the Latifi's of the world and when he left Redbull he was future wdc materialHe left Redbull arguably his best chance at a wdc to go to try and win one at Renault and then Mclaren.
Now he has settled for a no3 at the same team he left.
Edited by SmoothCriminal on Sunday 20th November 09:53
pablo said:
And rise for our next prayer,
Orange Jesus
Who art in Red Bull
Verstappen be thy name
Two title come
Nine I’ll have won
To beat the dreadlock ponce
Give us this day
Our daily 25 points
And lead us not into parc ferme
But deliver us more titles
Forever and ever
Amen
:amen:Orange Jesus
Who art in Red Bull
Verstappen be thy name
Two title come
Nine I’ll have won
To beat the dreadlock ponce
Give us this day
Our daily 25 points
And lead us not into parc ferme
But deliver us more titles
Forever and ever
Amen
:hallelujah:
Pflanzgarten said:
A LETTER FROM DANIEL
Daniel pays tribute to McLaren fans ahead of his final race for the team
09:00
20.11.22
Dear Papaya Army,
Firstly, I want to start by saying thank you. Joining McLaren was a big deal for me, a team rich in history with a fantastic fanbase, and you embraced me from day one. Signing on the dotted line for this team and climbing into the car for the first time were proud moments, and I'll always carry that with me.
I also want to thank you because above anything I'm a sports fan, and I know how it feels to ride with someone through adversity and struggle. I know what it is like to support and cheer for someone when it isn't going well, it ruins your Sunday. Through all of that, I've still felt an overwhelming amount of support from you all. You've remained super loyal, and I want to say thank you for that. It would have been easy to jump off the bandwagon, but you've been pretty much unconditional all year. Don't ever underestimate the impact of your support, I certainly haven’t ever taken it for granted.
We'll always have Monza. The win in Monza was a fairy tale, but what's so great about that day is that it wasn't a selfish fairy tale, it wasn't just me, it was the whole team, with Lando getting second and us having the fastest pit-stop. It was the perfect weekend, and that made up for a lot of the more difficult ones because we were rewarded with the highest of highs.
Off the track, it's been a lot of fun and I want to say thank you to the team. When you've been racing with a team, you're connected for life. Sure, you switch teams, you move on, you change, but those connections you make are forever, whether it be with the mechanics, the engineers or any other team members I've worked with. These people have poured everything in over this two-year period, and I won't ever lose the connections I've made here. There is a part of McLaren that I'll always hold close to me. Even with the results this year, we lay that to rest, it is what is, and we move forward. The personal side is that I have a lot of fond memories at McLaren.
I've really enjoyed my time with Lando, not only as teammates but as people and friends, we've had some great times together, and that friendship has blossomed. There's been a lot of great moments between us both on and off camera, and I'm sure you'll all have your own favourite. It started with us banging some drums together and making terrible music, and along the way, we've stuck some rubbish tattoos on each other and were let loose with space hoppers, although Lando might not have loved that so much!! We've had a lot of laughs, we've driven some fast and exciting road cars together and giggled our way through it all.
Finally, I am excited for the future because I feel like I have dealt with the highs and lows from my time here and come out of it. On a personal level, it has not been 'all good, all ways', it has tested my resilience, but I have gotten through it, and now I'm excited to see how I take on challenges moving forwards. All of the tests that I have encountered here and everything that I've learned will only help me.
As much as I'd have loved to have won every race, I am grateful for these experiences. My journey with McLaren may be coming to end, but we’re connected for life now.
Alrighty, back to racing. Time for one last ride, let's do everything we can to finish on a high.
No regrets, just memories.
Daniel.
Nice sentiments... Pretty sure he sent similar praise to Max, RB, Horner and Helmut IIRC. Daniel pays tribute to McLaren fans ahead of his final race for the team
09:00
20.11.22
Dear Papaya Army,
Firstly, I want to start by saying thank you. Joining McLaren was a big deal for me, a team rich in history with a fantastic fanbase, and you embraced me from day one. Signing on the dotted line for this team and climbing into the car for the first time were proud moments, and I'll always carry that with me.
I also want to thank you because above anything I'm a sports fan, and I know how it feels to ride with someone through adversity and struggle. I know what it is like to support and cheer for someone when it isn't going well, it ruins your Sunday. Through all of that, I've still felt an overwhelming amount of support from you all. You've remained super loyal, and I want to say thank you for that. It would have been easy to jump off the bandwagon, but you've been pretty much unconditional all year. Don't ever underestimate the impact of your support, I certainly haven’t ever taken it for granted.
We'll always have Monza. The win in Monza was a fairy tale, but what's so great about that day is that it wasn't a selfish fairy tale, it wasn't just me, it was the whole team, with Lando getting second and us having the fastest pit-stop. It was the perfect weekend, and that made up for a lot of the more difficult ones because we were rewarded with the highest of highs.
Off the track, it's been a lot of fun and I want to say thank you to the team. When you've been racing with a team, you're connected for life. Sure, you switch teams, you move on, you change, but those connections you make are forever, whether it be with the mechanics, the engineers or any other team members I've worked with. These people have poured everything in over this two-year period, and I won't ever lose the connections I've made here. There is a part of McLaren that I'll always hold close to me. Even with the results this year, we lay that to rest, it is what is, and we move forward. The personal side is that I have a lot of fond memories at McLaren.
I've really enjoyed my time with Lando, not only as teammates but as people and friends, we've had some great times together, and that friendship has blossomed. There's been a lot of great moments between us both on and off camera, and I'm sure you'll all have your own favourite. It started with us banging some drums together and making terrible music, and along the way, we've stuck some rubbish tattoos on each other and were let loose with space hoppers, although Lando might not have loved that so much!! We've had a lot of laughs, we've driven some fast and exciting road cars together and giggled our way through it all.
Finally, I am excited for the future because I feel like I have dealt with the highs and lows from my time here and come out of it. On a personal level, it has not been 'all good, all ways', it has tested my resilience, but I have gotten through it, and now I'm excited to see how I take on challenges moving forwards. All of the tests that I have encountered here and everything that I've learned will only help me.
As much as I'd have loved to have won every race, I am grateful for these experiences. My journey with McLaren may be coming to end, but we’re connected for life now.
Alrighty, back to racing. Time for one last ride, let's do everything we can to finish on a high.
No regrets, just memories.
Daniel.
HTP99 said:
I wonder what that gig pays, a few demo runs here and there, some press days and a reserve roll!!
He's not the reserve, at least not officially. He won't be at most of the races. It will be interesting to see what happens if one of the two race drivers are unavailable to race for any reason, though.Bonefish Blues said:
thiscocks said:
Really sad that an ex winning F1 driver is happy to sit on his arse all year as a number 3 driver as they are so desperate to stay clinging on to F1.
He could do any racing series he chose...
Better than out of sight, out of mind if he wants to get back into a FT driveHe could do any racing series he chose...
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