Daniel Riccardo is one of the most talented riders in the modern Formula 1. He is a very charming and positive person. His signature smile has already become his hallmark. On the track, he is an unyielding rival who always strives to be the first. Even in difficult races, when the car is not very competitive, Riccardo does not give up and tries to get the most out of his car.
Carier start
And the future athlete in Australia began his career. Already in early childhood, he began to be interested in racing. But this was not his only hobby. Daniel really liked Australian football. He could even begin to deal with it professionally. But still he gave preference to auto racing.
Like any rider, Riccardo began with karting. He repeatedly became the champion of Australia.
Going to Formula
In the championship of “Formula BMW” Riccardo made his debut. Daniel won the Grand Race for this series. He spent 19 races in the season, of which two he won, and also got on the podium 12 times. This allowed Riccardo to become the third in the overall standings, which gave him the right to speak in the final of “Formula BMW”. They managed to take fifth place. Daniel's successes were marked by a medal.
A year later, the rider goes to Formula Renault, where he participates in both the Italian and the European series. The performances were different. If in Italy, Daniel spent 14 races and got on the podium once, then in the European he participated only in 4 races, where he failed to score points. 2008 was much more successful for Riccardo. Daniel celebrated his championship in the West European Formula Renault, and also finished second in the European Championship. In the same year, the athlete held three races in Formula 3. The next season, the race driver spent in the Carlin Motorsport team. Daniel spent a year in the British Formula 3, and very successfully. In each race, the driver managed to get on the podium. He finished first seven times and 13 came in the top three.
Debut season in Formula 1
Due to his success, the rider was spotted by Red Bull Racing, this allowed him to go to Jerez to participate in tests among young pilots.
He continues to race at Formula Renault, but gets the opportunity to become a test pilot for Red Bull, as well as Scuderia Toro Rosso. In 2011, Riccardo is still performing in the Renault series. He is also invited to participate in Friday's races for the Toro Rosso team. Daniel makes his debut in Formula 1. In the middle of the season, he signs a contract with the HRT Team and holds his first race at the UK Grand Prix. The next season, Riccardo moves to Toro Rosso, where he becomes the main pilot. But the rider did not have a competitive car.
Red Bull Performances
In 2013, another Australian rider Mark Webber leaves Red Bull, in his place is Riccardo. Daniel very successfully begins the season. Already in the debut race for a new team, he manages to finish second. But the joy was overshadowed by disqualification due to violation of the regulations. But this race showed that serious results can be expected from an athlete this season. Over the season, Riccardo was able to win three victories. It was he who was the main rival of the dominant Mercedes team. Daniel's teammate was multiple world champion Sebastian Vettel. But it was Riccardo who took third place in the overall standings. At the end of the season, Vettel left the team, and Daniel Quat became the young partner of Daniel.
The entire next season, Mercedes continued to dominate, but Red Bull was no longer able to compete with them. The main rival of Mercedes racers was Sebastian Vettel, who began to play for the “Ferrari”. For Red Bull, the season was not very successful.
So far, the prospects for the next season do not please Riccardo. Daniel says that it will be almost impossible to get close to the Mercedes level. But he emphasizes that in 2017, when changes to the regulations are possible, his team may have serious chances of success.
Interesting facts from the life of a rider
One of the most decisive in the race is Daniel Riccardo. Formula 1 loves pilots who are not afraid to take risks. But outside the race, the athlete leads a fairly calm lifestyle. They do not write about him in the yellow press, he is not seen in scandals, and references to the media are most often associated with his professional activities. Daniel Riccardo says that he received the main lesson in life at the age of 14, when in the race he put off overtaking to the last lap. As a result, he could not get around the opponent and came to the finish line second. Now he knows that he never needs to be pulled to the last.
Not the main thing in his life were auto racing, “Formula”. Daniel Riccardo says happiness is the most important. The rider's contract expires at the end of 2016. In any case, Daniel wants to stay in motorsport, even if not in Formula 1. Riccardo does not exclude the possibility of continuing his career in racing other series.
Perhaps Daniel Riccardo’s expectations for the next season will be confirmed. But in any case, he will fight in every turn in every race, will try to squeeze the maximum out of his car. Formula 1 often brings surprises. One can never say with certainty who will win. Perhaps in the upcoming season, fans will more than once be able to see on the podium of the Australian rider Daniel Riccardo.