Daniel Ricciardo says F1 ‘still gets me jacked’ as rumours abound over McLaren future
Under pressure star Daniel Ricciardo says F1 still gets him “jacked” as rumours continue to abound over his McLaren future.
Ricciardo’s future in the sport is under threat amid speculation that fellow countryman Oscar Piastri will take his seat with the Woking-based team next season. Piastri had seemingly been set to join Alpine, only for the youngster to deny he’d agreed the move.
That raised the prospect of the 21-year-old star lining up alongside Lando Norris at McLaren next term, a scenario that is only possible if the British manufacturer pays off Ricciardo’s existing contract, which doesn’t run out until 2023. That is seen as a realistic possibility, meaning the former Red Bull driver could be left without a drive next season.
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Nevertheless, Ricciardo remains committed in his desire to line up on the grid next season. “There’s certainly a few things,” the 33-year-old said during an interview with Speedcafe when asked what he loves about driving in F1.
“Like, the competition – it has to be one of the only sports in the world where there’s only 20 people that are doing it. The competition is such like a small, 0.001 percent of a group. So to be able to not only be part of that group, but to compete inside that group, that’s such a unique thing in itself. And so I love that.”
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“The truth is, the highs you get are just so high because so much goes into it,” he explained. “Of course you take risks, like to win a race for example, you haven’t gone for a Sunday drive; you’ve put it all on the line, the team has, you’ve pushed your body, mentally and physically.
“So then the high and the reward is pretty amazing and pretty spectacular. I could probably keep going, but there are a few things. I believe I still thrive off it because I still believe I belong [in Formula 1] and can do it. That’s what really gets me jacked.
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“And the love of it, as well as knowing that any weekend that could be there, like it could be around the corner, you know.”
Despite rumours linking him with a premature exit from McLaren, Ricciardo might not find too hard to secure a place on the grid next season. According to reports earlier this month, four teams are considering signing up the eight-time race winner if he does leave the Woking-based outfit.
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