‘You resent it’: Daniel Ricciardo will never be the same

Daniel Ricciardo’s job is not all it is cracked up to be and the Australian has admitted something needs to change.

Daniel Ricciardo. Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

It may be his “dream job”, but Daniel Ricciardo is learning he can’t have it all.

The Australian has still been the most popular figure at Albert Park this weekend, despite not getting anywhere near a car at the Australian Grand Prix.

The West-Australian’s face has been plastered on billboards and signage all over the Melbourne street circuit — and has been even busier behind the scenes in his ongoing roles as a Red Bull promoter and ambassador for several personal sponsors, including Optus, where he has been appointed to a position as the telecom’s Chief of Optimism.

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However, his work off the track this week has exposed one clear conundrum he faces as he plots a return to the Formula 1 grid in 2023 — his dual life as a salesman and race car driver may not be sustainable.

Throughout his career, the 33-year-old has spoken about being burned out by the mountain of promotional work he does with brands flocking from around the world to hitch their wagon to his winning grin.

Daniel Ricciardo mobbed by fans. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Even without needing to step behind the wheel, it has been a lot for him this week.

He said it is likely the taxing nature of his work off the track that would ultimately make him question his desire to continue in the sport.

“It’s full on,” Ricciardo said in his expansive chat with Fox Sports’ Jess Yates and Neil Crompton.

“I think the beauty this year is that I don’t have to then jump in a car. I think as well last year the sport is doing this (points in an upwards trajectory) and the commitments were getting more and more. So naturally, I’m a bit more fatigued by the time I get in the car and then if the on-track stuff isn’t going well, you end up just resenting a lot of it.

“And for my level of excitement and passion, I wasn’t really doing myself justice. It’s my dream job and the day that I kind of start losing that smile... that’s kind of the day when I have to start asking some questions of myself.

“This year is good because I don’t have to now worry about being at 100 per cent when I get behind the wheel. I don’t have to worry about spending my energy elsewhere a little more.”

It is of course great to see Ricciardo back in Australia and enjoying himself.

It’s a far cry from Ricciardo’s 2019 visit when he had a nightmare start to his time at Renault when he drifted onto the grass and wrote himself off.

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

But the Aussie revealed after the race he was feeling “flat” and “drained” having been at the forefront of the publicity for the event.

“I’m just drained,” he said. “I try to please everyone this week and I don’t look after myself so we’ll change it for next year, yep.”

He earlier said in a TV interview he was frustrated so much is expected of him when he races Down Under.

“I think we’re too busy pleasing everyone else instead of focusing on ourselves,” Ricciardo said.

“For sure I’m frustrated because everyone expects so much.”

Four years since that 2019 admission, and nothing has changed for Ricciardo’s promotional workload — except his position as Red Bull’s reserve driver.

It is a big part of why he is the most popular driver in Formula 1, but it is something he must now consider giving up if he is to chase his dream of winning a championship.

Ever since his sacking from McLaren, Ricciardo has been adamant he did not want to return to Formula 1 for the sake of sitting on the grid.

He has been perfectly clear that he will only return to the sport if he can secure a seat at a team that is competing at the front of the grid.

Even if his dream comes true and a seat miraculously opens at Red Bull or Mercedes or Ferrari, he still has the conundrum of trying to chose between which of his two lives are right for him. The racer or the salesman.

It is likely quandary that he has hinted at this week when saying he has already learned things this year about what he would change in his approach should he return to the sport.

“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,” he said.

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.

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 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.