F1: Daniel Ricciardo reacts to ‘insane’ possibility of a second race in Italy

Daniel Ricciardo is suitably hyped by a possible addition to the F1 calendar as the sport’s bosses adapt with the times during this global pandemic.

Daniel Ricciardo can't wait to get racing again.

Daniel Ricciardo says it would be “insane” to race around Mugello if a second grand prix in Italy is added to this year’s revised F1 calendar.

There are suggestions a race at the iconic Ferrari-owned circuit could take place the week after the traditional Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and the Australian driver is fully supportive of the idea.

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The F1 season was delayed because of coronavirus and is now scheduled to start this weekend in Austria as drivers prepare for eight European races in 10 weeks — a figure that could jump to nine in 11 weeks if Mugello, in Tuscany, is added.

“That was a circuit (Mugello) I raced back in 2007 for the first time, and it was my favourite circuit that season,” Ricciardo said, per motorsport.com.

“I loved just the flowing, high-speed corners and I think in F1, it would be amazing. We had a test there, I think it was back in 2012, in F1.

“The cars now, these 2020 cars around there, would be insane. So yeah, I’m certainly excited if that one takes place.”

The Portimao circuit in Portugal also confirmed in June it was in talks about possibly hosting a race, which was music to Ricciardo’s ears.

“I actually have good memories of Portimao,” he said. “It was where I wrapped up the F3 championship.

“It was a circuit I really enjoyed — some good elevation and again quite good, flowing, fast corners. I’m not disappointed if any of these go ahead at all. I would be very excited.”

Ricciardo will wave goodbye to Renault at the end of the season.

The interrupted season — that has seen some races cancelled and others added — will be Ricciardo’s last with Renault after he agreed to join McLaren in 2021.

The West Australian quit Red Bull at the end of 2018 but his two-year stint with Renault hasn’t gone to plan. Last season he finished ninth in the drivers’ standings and suffered multiple mechanical failures as the French outfit fell to fifth in the constructors’ championship, unable to develop a competitive package.

McLaren usurped Renault as the midfield leader in 2019 and will welcome Ricciardo into its stable alongside Lando Norris in 2021.

Ricciardo will still want to finish this bizarre 2020 campaign on a high and his teammate for the remainder of the year, Esteban Ocon, is also excited about the possibility of trying out new circuits.

“I love the old school circuits like Mugello or Imola,” Ocon told motorsport.com. “That was a track I raced not so long ago as well in F3. I still have to learn Portimao.

“I’ve done a lot of laps, obviously on my home sim, which was good. But yeah, I’m happy to do a lot of races. And if that’s the way we can do more in the future, then it’s fantastic.”

The first two races of the season are slated for the Red Bull Ring in Austria, where rigorous protocols are in place to protect against the spread of COVID-19.