Current Daniel Ricciardo

I noticed young Daniel didn't have his own thread so thought I'd give him on as sure he'll be around for a good few years.

Born in 1989 (that makes him 22 before you do the maths) this aussie started karting at the age of 9 and in 2005 entered the Western Australian Formula Ford Championship as a privateer driving a car that was 15 years old at the time and managed to finish 8th. He won a scholarship to compete in Formula BMW Asia the following year. As we all know he eventually became involved in the Red Bull young driver programme after winning the British Formula 3 championship in 2009.

Became Red Bull's test driver and has now stepped up to drive for HRT. Has been really hyped as the next big thing by the Red Bull team and the press. Eddie Jordan described him as a future world champion before he'd even done his first Grand Prix. The truth is though he has not set the world alight at HRT. How can one set the world alight at HRT I hear you ask to which I say - good point! Although he has beaten Liuzzi twice already in the races I believe he needs to get on top of him in quali too. Also he's being beaten by quite a way in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series by both Robert Wickens and Jean-Eric Vergne.

So Ricciardo - future number 1 or going going gone?

 

[ExtremeNinja]

I think he was first to pit, too.

 

[Brogan]

He was, on lap 7.

http://cliptheapex.com/overtaking/gps/2012-bhr.862/

Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Thanks Brogan

 

[jez101]

I think these points tie together. Ricciardo was the second to pit after Kovaleinen who suffered a puncture on lap 1. Danny had a damaged nose and the two were together as they came through turn 9. Very soon after, there was a yellow flag as they exited that corner and Kov's tyre started falling apart on the back straight.

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Not difficult to draw the conclusions from that. Nice work Jez.

 

[RasputinLives]

Ricciardo talks about his awful first lap here

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/7708126/Ricciardo-still-not-over-Bahrain

Says he's not over it and is going to dwell on it a bit longer before focusing on Barcelona. I find that a bit worrying. I thought the best thing for a race driver (or any sportsmen) to do after a bad result is take a look at it to learn about it and then focus on whats coming up. If he dwells on it for too long surely he'll worry himself to death.

Having never been a race driver I wouldn't know whats best really but I was a national level cross country runner when I was younger and I remember after a bad race I just couldn't wait to get to the next one so I could put it behind me.

 

[RasputinLives]

Interested to read aout Ricciardo losing his voice over the weekend.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/...gpupdate&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=news

Must be like losing a limb in modern day F1 for a young driver like Ricciardo who's always had pit to car communication. I Didn't see what happened to Daniel at Monaco if I'm honest. I know he retired near the end but not sure what of.

 

[Galahad]

I know he retired near the end but not sure what of.

He clobbered a kerb hard at the Swimming Pool and damaged the steering - pitted to retire for safety reasons (sensible lad).

 

[RasputinLives]

Is Ricciardo the least interesting driver on the 2013 grid. Gotta be top 3.

 

[gethinceri]

Along with?

 

[RasputinLives]

Paul Di Resta and Nico Rosberg for me. Although Sutil would prob oust Rosberg if he comes back.

Kind of think they've never done much to ever excite me.

Maybe Nico. Dunno.

 

[teabagyokel]

RasputinLives - I think the podium should be:

1. Paul di Resta
2. Paul di Resta
3. Paul di Resta

Think Ricciardo or Vergne will become very interesting in 2014.

 

[Il_leone]

the forgotten man it seems .. back at the end of 2010 testing he was fast in a Toro Rosso and there were calls to get him on the grid to replace Jaime

One flash of his ability qualifying 6th in Bahrain but apparently criticised for not stepping up like Vettel did on the back of it ... but a lot has changed at Toro Rosso since the glory days of 2008
---------------------

Another who is touted as future world champion but does anyone think he is the real deal or is Vergne the better prospect

 

[teabagyokel]

Il_leone - They were very close last year; I think if Ricciardo can continue to outqualify Vergne he could just about turn out to be the best all round package.

 

[Il_leone]

teabagyokel
I've not known a lot about Vergne who apparently is considered the fastest of the young brigade Red Bull had out of Buemi, Riccardo , Algarsuari and himself

Its very difficult to tell because Toro Rosso are pretty much back to the same team they were pre 2007 without a Newey chassis and less funding to help progress

Ricciardo thinks a victory is possible seeing what Vettel did and a lot has been said about him to get him promoted to the main team . Now like Di Resta at Mercedes he needs to step up

 

[Brogan]

Got drug tested early hours this morning. All of a sudden pissing in your own home becomes difficult with someone staring over your shoulder

https://twitter.com/danielricciardo/status/308841900641763328

 

[Jos the Boss]

Ricciardo:

"I really couldn’t be bothered shouting and screaming at Grosjean. I just said "you’re an idiot", and that was it."

 

[Jos the Boss]

I love these interviews!
http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2013/8/14872.html

 

[teabagyokel]

The best actor in the world is…
DR: Adam Sandler.

 

[Josh]

My favourite song of all time is…
DR: It’s by the band Killswitch Engage and is called End Of Heartache.

I like this though. My kind of guy.