‘It was a mess’: Daniel Ricciardo reveals where it all went wrong

Daniel Ricciardo has made a surprisingly honest statement about the “mess” he was in as it all went so wrong in recent times.

Daniel Ricciardo has given a surprisingly honest glimpse of why it all went so wrong for him and his former McLaren team last year.

The Aussie’s future hangs in the balance as he completes the 2023 season watching on from behind the barrier in his part-time reserve driver role with Red Bull.

However, it has only taken two races and two spectacularly miserable results for McLaren for many commentators to suggest the veteran racer is better off without a seat this year.

The 33-year-old is attending his first race of the season at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

It looms as a crucial weekend for Ricciardo to see if the competitive juices are flowing and if he still has the fire in the belly to get back in F1. Just one day into the weekend’s action Ricciardo has now declared he is “not done” with F1.

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His return would be a dramatic comeback story after he was sacked by McLaren last year after two disappointing seasons and was replaced by Aussie youngster Oscar Piastri.

Ricciardo has now revealed in an interview with Fox Sports, his confidence was shot as the team made a series of desperate updates to the set-up of its cars.

“It became everything,” he told Fox Sports’ Jess Yates and Neil Crompton at Albert Park.

“I think that’s what made it so frustrating at times. Things were always moving. It was one weekend, let’s say it’s braking and then by the end of the week we got onto it. But then before the next weekend it was something else.

Daniel Ricciardo with Fox Sports' Jess Yates and Neil Crompton. Photo: Fox Sports.

Daniel Ricciardo with Fox Sports' Jess Yates and Neil Crompton. Photo: Fox Sports.

“Nothing was ever really adding up. There was no Step 1, Step 2, Step 3. It was just a bit of a mess.

“We probably started over analysing things and that takes a hit on my confidence. And I’m questioning a few things in myself. And I’m seeing everyone scratching their heads and I’m forced to scratch my head.

“At the end of the day, in the big picture, it’s no-one’s fault. We just got into a place that didn’t end up being very productive and ultimately I didn’t feel I could deliver in a way that was natural to me as far as using my natural ability.

“I wasn’t going out there with a clear mind. I was questioning too many things I guess.”

He said he has already learned things he will change about his approach — if he is able to win a seat on the 2024 grid.

It is a hope that is made even more slim by the West Australian’s ongoing declarations that he will only return to the sport if he is able to secure a drive with one of the contending teams.

“I don’t feel done with it. I already feel a bit revitalised,” he said.

“Even now I look back at those last few years with McLaren, I understand why that didn’t work. I would have done that better, or I would have done that differently. Cut these things down. Or added that.

“I’m even in a position now where I’m only a few months removed from the season, and now If I get back on the grid there’s already things I know that I want to do differently.”

Ricciardo is only attending around eight of the 23 races on F1’s calendar this year as he takes a step back from the rigours of the sport’s demanding schedule.

He underwent a seat fitting and will take part in Red Bull’s team strategy meetings this weekend.

The 33-year-old said he still has the hunger to drive in F1 again and his love for the sport hasn’t faded.

“The signs are pointing towards getting back on the grid,” Ricciardo said on Thursday.

Daniel Ricciardo is keen to get back to F1 next year. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

“I feel like that’s currently where I’m tracking, at least in my head. … I’ve even put myself in scenarios now where I’m like, if I got back on the grid tomorrow, what would I do differently?

“You just don’t have the chance when you’re in it. But I also think that everything happens for a reason.

“Having the chance to step back and just review everything from afar, and with the luxury of time as well, not to be forced to make a decision or rush anything, I feel that if I’m to get back on the grid, I honestly believe I’ll be a better version of myself. A more mature, experienced, complete version.”

Ricciardo is back up driver for Max Verstappen (L) and Sergio Perez (R). (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Ricciardo is happy with his current situation, and will reassess his options with his team later in the year during F1’s so-called silly season in July.

“I’m really happy with how I’m going about it for now,” he said.

“So I’m not going to do too much more.”

With Perez playing the perfect second fiddle to two-time reigning champion Verstappen at Red Bull, and Lando Norris likely Mercedes’ first choice to replace Lewis Hamilton if he retires — the options look slim for Ricciardo.

Alan Jones, the last Australian to win an F1 title in 1980, has questioned if there is an attractive spot on the grid for Ricciardo next season.

“In relation to him ever getting back into a Formula One car, you never say never, he is a reserve driver, and you never know what might happen as far as coming out of a sabbatical is concerned,” Jones said.

“If he did I think he would be quite good. We’ve seen (Fernando) Alonso come out of a break and (Kimi) Raikkonen come out of a sabbatical and both go extremely well.”

“But I just don’t know where Daniel would go, because at the end of the day, I can’t see Red Bull getting rid of the two that they’ve got.

“I can’t see Ferrari getting rid of the two of them (Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc).

“Where does Lewis Hamilton go? He wouldn’t go anywhere unless it was a good team. So there’s not really that many doors for Daniel to go through.”

Originally published as ‘It was a mess’: Daniel Ricciardo reveals where it all went wrong