Australia honors their sole F1 driver McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo with prestigious award
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Daniel Ricciardo
The 2021 season saw a McLaren driver claiming a GP win after their 9 year long wait thanks to their ever-smiling Australian Daniel Ricciardo who finished P1 ahead of his teammate Lando Norris. Daniel Ricciardo was able to secure the win thanks the championship rivals Champion Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton intense fight ending in a crash putting both of them out of the race.
Though he was able to secure a win the 2021 season was among his disappointing campaigns as the Australian was able to secure only one podiums (Italian GP win) and finished P8 in drivers’ championship with 115 points 45 points behind his young teammate who finished P6 in the championship.
Though his season was of mix feelings Daniel Ricciardo has something to cheer for in 2022 as the Australian was made a ‘Member of the Order of Australia’ for his “significant service to motor sport as a competitor and ambassador and to the community,”. The 8 times GP champion is not just awarded for his services in motorsports being the sole Australian F1 driver in the grid the honor also acknowledges his charitable efforts such as ‘Save the Children organization’ back in his native Australia.
The 32 years old West Australian born in Perth will join distinguished Australian motorsport personalities such as Craig Lowndes, Mark Webber, Mark Skaife, Jack Brabham and Peter Brock and other 155 Australians who have received the honor.
“I’m extremely proud to receive the award” Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo said he is extremely proud to receive the award and to be named alongside the distinguished previous recipient of the award. Daniel Ricciardo said it wasn’t easy leaving Australia to pursue his F1 dream and it means a lot to him when his homeland acknowledges his efforts and passion. Daniel Ricciardo added that representing Australia in F1 puts a big smile on his face.
“I’m extremely proud to receive the award, just to be named alongside the previous recipients is pretty special,” Daniel Ricciardo told The West Australian.
“It wasn’t easy leaving Australia to chase this F1 dream, I was 17 at the time and it was a long road ahead, so for my home to recognise that effort, the passion and determination, it really does mean a lot. Representing Australia on this (F1) stage, it does put a big smile on my face, I’m just really proud,”
Daniel Ricciardo went on to express how special he felt about his Italian GP wins, he said the season helped him to manage pressure happened due to his inconsistency and added the feeling he had in Monza was very special. Daniel Ricciardo added that he knows what helped me to win the title crediting it to the intense practice he had endured.
“Through the ups and downs you learn a lot, whether that’s managing pressure, expectations or even understanding more about myself,” says Daniel Ricciardo
…“That Monza feeling was huge and I want that more and more often. I know what I felt that weekend, how I got to that place, so it’s about me doing a few little processes that put me back in that place,” Daniel Ricciardo said.
“I know what got me there, so practice makes perfect,” Daniel Ricciardo added.
Also read: 2021 Title loss to be a bitter experience for Toto Wolff than Lewis Hamilton suggests David Coulthard
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Justin P Joy
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