Daniel Ricciardo’s unusual pre-race routine

DANIEL Ricciardo’s early season success is no fluke. Check out the surprising but deliberate process he goes through before each and every F1 race.

F1 Testing In Jerez - Day Two

SIXTY minutes out from the start of a race, the banter will stop and Daniel Ricciardo will click into performance mode.

Music is his first cue — a wise move given research at London’s Brunel University has shown that music can spike arousal and boost motivation, enhancing athletic performance by up to 18 per cent.

If it’s qualifying, he’ll go for the alt-rock of The Gaslight Anthem — “Something that’ll get me happy, get me smiling, singing to myself”.

On race day he’ll wade into the weightier punk rock of Parkway Drive — “Something that’ll get me really pumped up”.

Once the music has established the mood, he’ll turn his attention to his body.

Static holds will morph into dynamic stretches.

Having worked up a sheen of sweat, he’ll start sharpening his reflexes by catching tennis balls hurled at him by Smith, before the pair get stuck into short sprints and shadow boxing. “Throughout all that, the music’s getting louder, more intense. By the time I get in the car I’m

warm, I’m ready, I’m switched on.”

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 03: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing sits in his car in the garage during day three of Formula One Winter Testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 3, 2015 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

It’s a routine that turns Ricciardo into something resembling the remorseless machine of F1 lore. But even with the visor down, he retains the earthy good humour that is the bedrock of his approach.

While other drivers can be demanding, histrionic or petulant on the team-car radio, Ricciardo’s tone is typically calm and conversational.

It’s a deliberate mingling of serenity and intensity — and it’s borne spectacular results.

Full story in this month’s issue of Men’s Health.

Men’s Health March issue.