Daniel Ricciardo confirms that he almost matched Max Verstappen on his RB19 debut at the Silverstone

Daniel Ricciardo is currently one of the top contenders for Red Bull's second alongside Max Verstappen.

Daniel Ricciardo confirms that he almost matched Max Verstappen on his RB19 debut at the Silverstone

Max Verstappen and Daniel Riccardo (Via IMAGO)

After a challenging stint with McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo‘s return to Red Bull took a fascinating turn during a Pirelli test at Silverstone. Despite initial nerves and two spins, Ricciardo’s timed lap kissed Max Verstappen‘s pole time at the British GP, caught everyone by surprise, and eventually laid his path for his return to the grid. 

Ricciardo commenced 2023 as Red Bull’s third driver but rejoined the F1 grid with AlphaTauri midseason after the Pirelli test. In an interview with Beyond the Grid podcast, Ricciardo shared the behind-the-scenes story, emphasizing the test’s significance in reigniting his confidence and enthusiasm for racing. Simulator success paved Ricciardo’s path to the Silverstone chance, where he confronted challenges and emerged victorious.

Embracing the opportunity, Ricciardo mentally prepared during the Silverstone race weekend, recognizing the importance of feeling pressure and having a goal. “I knew if this test went well, things could change quickly,” acknowledged Ricciardo. Preparing for the test, Ricciardo observed as Verstappen triumphed in the race after securing pole with a 1:26.720 pole time, outpacing Ricciardo’s former teammate Lando Norris.

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So we put some new tyres on. We put FP2 fuel [levels] in the car. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. The first timed lap I did was on the money.Take the fuel out to put it to quali fuel and it was a few hundredths off Max’s pole time."

Daniel Ricciardo reveals that he was relishing the pressure that his future was hanging over the test

The test, initially a chance to gauge his familiarity with the car, turned into a pivotal moment in reshaping Ricciardo’s Formula 1 trajectory. “So then the test was… I was certainly a little bit nervous. But ultimately, I was excited,” shared Ricciardo, capturing the mix of emotions leading up to the critical moment.

Christian Horner, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo
Christian Horner, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo (Via IMAGO)

Despite facing challenges, including those initial spins, Ricciardo found his rhythm and delivered a performance that impressed Red Bull and underscored his regained confidence and love for the sport. “Honestly, your future could hang on this test, it was good to feel that pressure again,” he affirmed, highlighting the significance of the pressure he welcomed.

“That was important as well, I wasn’t pushing it back, I was embracing it again, and all these things that I used to really thrive off, I was getting it back,” reflected Ricciardo, emphasizing his renewed connection with the aspects of racing that fueled his passion. Returning in mid-2023, Ricciardo’s AlphaTauri stint had its fireworks, notably in Mexico. Yet, his F1 fervor pulsated towards Red Bull. The 2024 horizon beckons, demanding a symphony of prowess to echo alongside Verstappen.

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