It could be his “dream job”, however Daniel Ricciardo is studying he can’t have all of it.
The Australian has nonetheless been the preferred determine at Albert Park this weekend, regardless of not getting wherever close to a automobile on the Australian Grand Prix.
The West-Australian’s face has been plastered on billboards and signage all around the Melbourne avenue circuit — and has been even busier behind the scenes in his ongoing roles as a Crimson Bull promoter and ambassador for a number of private sponsors, together with Optus, the place he has been appointed to a place because the telecom’s Chief of Optimism.
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Nevertheless, his work off the observe this week has uncovered one clear conundrum he faces as he plots a return to the System 1 grid in 2023 — his twin life as a salesman and race automobile driver will not be sustainable.
All through his profession, the 33-year-old has spoken about being burned out by the mountain of promotional work he does with manufacturers flocking from all over the world to hitch their wagon to his successful grin.
Even without having to step behind the wheel, it has been loads for him this week.
He stated it’s probably the taxing nature of his work off the observe that will in the end make him query his want to proceed within the sport.
“It’s full on,” Ricciardo stated in his expansive chat with Fox Sports activities’ Jess Yates and Neil Crompton.
“I feel the sweetness this 12 months is that I don’t need to then soar in a automobile. I feel as properly final 12 months the game is doing this (factors in an upwards trajectory) and the commitments have been getting an increasing number of. So naturally, I’m a bit extra fatigued by the point I get within the automobile after which if the on-track stuff isn’t going properly, you find yourself simply resenting loads of it.
“And for my stage of pleasure and fervour, I wasn’t actually doing myself justice. It’s my dream job and the day that I sort of begin shedding that smile… that’s sort of the day when I’ve to begin asking some questions of myself.
“This 12 months is nice as a result of I don’t need to now fear about being at 100 per cent once I get behind the wheel. I don’t have to fret about spending my vitality elsewhere slightly extra.”
It’s in fact nice to see Ricciardo again in Australia and having fun with himself.
It’s a far cry from Ricciardo’s 2019 go to when he had a nightmare begin to his time at Renault when he drifted onto the grass and wrote himself off.
However the Aussie revealed after the race he was feeling “flat” and “drained” having been on the forefront of the publicity for the occasion.
“I’m simply drained,” he stated. “I attempt to please everybody this week and I don’t take care of myself so we’ll change it for subsequent 12 months, yep.”
He earlier stated in a TV interview he was annoyed a lot is predicted of him when he races Down Beneath.
“I feel we’re too busy pleasing everybody else as a substitute of specializing in ourselves,” Ricciardo stated.
“For certain I’m annoyed as a result of everybody expects a lot.”
4 years since that 2019 admission, and nothing has modified for Ricciardo’s promotional workload — besides his place as Crimson Bull’s reserve driver.
It’s a large a part of why he’s the preferred driver in System 1, however it’s one thing he should now think about giving up if he’s to chase his dream of successful a championship.
Ever since his sacking from McLaren, Ricciardo has been adamant he didn’t need to return to System 1 for the sake of sitting on the grid.
He has been completely clear that he’ll solely return to the game if he can safe a seat at a staff that’s competing on the entrance of the grid.
Even when his dream comes true and a seat miraculously opens at Crimson Bull or Mercedes or Ferrari, he nonetheless has the conundrum of making an attempt to selected between which of his two lives are proper for him. The racer or the salesperson.
It’s probably quandary that he has hinted at this week when saying he has already discovered issues this 12 months about what he would change in his strategy ought to he return to the game.
“I’m even able now the place I’m only some months faraway from the season, and now if I get again on the grid there’s already issues I do know that I need to do otherwise,” he stated.
His return can be a dramatic comeback story after he was sacked by McLaren final 12 months after two disappointing seasons and was changed by Aussie teen Oscar Piastri.
The 33-year-old stated he nonetheless has the starvation to drive in F1 once more and his love for the game hasn’t pale.
“The indicators are pointing in the direction of getting again on the grid,” Ricciardo stated on Thursday.
“I really feel like that’s presently the place I’m monitoring, no less than in my head. … I’ve even put myself in situations now the place I’m like, if I bought again on the grid tomorrow, what would I do otherwise?
“You simply don’t have the possibility while you’re in it. However I additionally assume that every thing occurs for a purpose.
“Having the possibility to step again and simply evaluate every thing from afar, and with the luxurious of time as properly, to not be pressured to decide or rush something, I really feel that if I’m to get again on the grid, I truthfully consider I’ll be a greater model of myself. A extra mature, skilled, full model.”
Ricciardo is blissful together with his present scenario, and can reassess his choices together with his staff later within the 12 months throughout F1’s so-called foolish season in July.
