Aussie Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo ready for ‘another crack’ at home race glory

Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo is excited to have “another crack” competing in this weekend’s Grand Prix — and he’ll have a newly designed helmet for the race.

Daniel Ricciardo and his newly designed race helmet by Victorian arts student Rosie Pettenon. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Daniel Ricciardo will tap into the vibe of record crowds at his home race and wear his love of Australia on his helmet when he returns to the Melbourne Grand Prix this weekend.

After last year watching from the sidelines without an F1 seat at Albert Park, Ricciardo said he was determined to give green-and-gold fans something to smile about.

“Another crack – it kind of feels like that,’’ he said.

“I was here last year but not competing so it feels a little bit like round two.

“It’s not my first time or second even but it’s another crack at it, which I’m excited for.’’

With tickets to Saturday and Sunday sold out and the full house sign expected to go up on Friday for the first time, Ricciardo was blown away by the popularity of the event.

“I’ve heard numbers like 450,000 expected over the course of the weekend, so that is pretty cool’’ he said.

“It’s been really cool to see it grow over time.

“It was never small. The Australian Grand Prix has always been big and I remember coming here as a spectator to see Mark (Webber) for his first ever race for Minardi and the crowd was always into it.

“But it’s just on another level now and there is so much support.’’

Daniel Ricciardo says it’s been ‘really cool’ to see the Aus GP grow with time. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Fans cheering the Aussie veteran will notice his race helmet emblazoned with native icons of his homeland, a design custom painted by Melbourne artist Rosie Pettenon.

Pettenon, 20, won an Optus competition to design the helmet to a brief of “Australian optimism” and spent more than a month creating the masterpiece.

“It will be a bit mind-blowing to see him actually racing in it,’’ she said.

“I’ve leaned into themes of Australian flora and fauna and natives … flowers are a happy symbol so I thought that was a good way to narrow down the idea of optimism.”

Daniel Ricciardo and his newly designed race helmet by Victorian arts student Rosie Pettenon. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The helmet will be auctioned off and money raised will be provided to Save the Children Australia for kids in need.

Ricciardo said: “I feel like everyone is going to love it, especially the home crowd because it’s very Australian.

“It reflects a lot of Oz and the landscape and everything about it.

“For me, I think of Australia when I come home – the colours and sunsets and kangaroos and all that.

“It’s very cool … I’ve had many helmets in my career and this is one of my favourites.’’

Ricciardo is proud to join Melbourne’s Oscar Piastri in flying the flag for their country in a home race – the first time since 2013 that two Aussies have lined up on the Albert Park starting grid.

“I think he’s doing a great job and I think he’s a good kid,’’ he said.

“I’m proud to be alongside him on the grid.’’

Visit the Lloyds website to bid on Ricciardo’s unique race helmet.