‘Hell yeah’: Daniel Ricciardo seals new podium bet with McLaren boss Zak Brown

Daniel Ricciardo’s tattoo wager at Renault made global headlines — now the Australian star has struck a fresh deal with his new boss.

Daniel Ricciardo’s tattoo wager with Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul made global headlines and the Australian driver has struck a fresh deal with his new boss at McLaren.

Last year, Abiteboul promised he would get a tattoo if Ricciardo secured a Formula 1 podium for the French team — which he eventually achieved at the Eifel Grand Prix in October.

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The Perth driver signed with a rival team ahead of the 2021 season, and McLaren chief executive Zac Brown has offered Ricciardo another incentive.

Earlier this year, Ricciardo said he would not ask Brown to get a tattoo, but did note: “He’s got a pretty good car collection, so maybe we could just bet one of his cars or something.”

Brown boasts a stunning collection of historic racing cars, and Ricciardo is a self-confessed NASCAR fanatic — he’s hinted at pursuing a NASCAR contract when his F1 career comes to an end.

Ricciardo chose the number three as his F1 number in homage to stock car racing champion Dale Earnhardt Sr, and Brown coincidentally has one of the American’s vehicles in his possession.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia.

McLaren’s official Twitter page uploaded a video on Wednesday evening (AEDT), in which Brown gives the 31-year-old a toy replica of Dale Earnhardt Sr’s 1984 Wrangler Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

“You can keep that version as a signing on bonus,” Brown said in the clip. “But I’m thinking — your first podium, you give the real thing a go.”

Ricciardo was visibly ecstatic: “That’s awesome — I feel like I’ve got to give you something though. Is this really for me to take? Hell yeah.”

We know how much you enjoy a podium bet, @danielricciardo.
 
How does a drive of one of THE most iconic cars in @ZBrownCEO’s heritage collection sound? 🤩🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/yj17DLiEjM

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 31, 2021

Dale Earnhardt Sr's 1984 Wrangler Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Get us that podium and the drive is all yours, @DanielRicciardo. 😉🔑 @[e-mail]/wyplavg8G3

— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) March 31, 2021

READ MORE: Ricciardo sparked rival’s downward spiral

Ricciardo had a promising but relatively subdued debut with McLaren in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

After qualifying at sixth on the grid, he was overtaken by new teammate Lando Norris on the opening lap before ultimately finishing seventh in the season opener.

But on Tuesday, McLaren revealed Ricciardo was combating car damage during the race, which subsequently slowed him down.

He sustained the damage during a minor collision with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly on lap four.

The next F1 race will take place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday, April 18 with lights out at 11pm AEDT.