Ricciardo a tiger in tank
DANIEL Ricciardo has called on Aussie fans to turn Albert Park into a sea of yellow and black as he starts the Formula One season with a new look and new car in Melbourne.
In his first Australian interview as a Renault driver following a shock team switch, the Aussie F1 star said he was feeling “new and fresh” despite taking the biggest risk of his sporting life.
“I’m certainly hungry to get going but I’m just hungry and excited about this new chapter in my career,” he said. “I’ve had a spring in my step.”
Ricciardo hoped his change from a Red Bull red uniform to a hue that will excite Richmond fans would be supported by a parochial home crowd in next month’s race.
“I would be happy to see some yellow and black in the stands — get around it, get me some yellow,’’ he said.
“Even if you don’t have a yellow T-shirt — go get one.
“I want everyone to get jacked up because I will be jacked up. I can’t promise a win or a podium or whatever, but I can definitely promise I’m ready to do what I can to make it an awesome weekend.’’
Ricciardo revealed he was frustrated by unfulfilled championship ambitions at Red Bull and rolled the dice with Renault believing there was more room for growth towards global victory.
“I guess I was craving a change basically . . . I guess just a new challenge for me with new people in a new environment,’’ he said.
“Even just walking into a new factory for the first time at Renault, it felt like my eyes were wide open again and I was just excited. Not that I was bored where I was but I felt I was maybe lacking something and this is really what is getting me going again.’’
Ricciardo said there was no one “tipping point’’ behind the decision to leave Red Bull.
“I felt like I’d given that chapter enough of a run and now it’s time to come somewhere new and fresh, but also come somewhere as a 29, 30year-old man as opposed to an 18-year-old kid,’’ he said.
Ricciardo said he would race as hard and fast as ever and was “super motivated and determined to get back to the top in this sport’’.
“The reality is I’m always going to show up prepared and if the opportunity arises I’m not going to hold back from it.’’
Ricciardo’s new-look Renault has just been launched in Europe but he won’t climb into the cockpit for about a week.
Tipped by experts to make at least one podium regardless, Ricciardo said he appreciated “everyone’s confidence and optimism” but was staying grounded against the might of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.