F1 News: Daniel Ricciardo "Hungry and Motivated" For 2024 Season
Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) driver Daniel Ricciardo revealed that after a much-needed long break, he is "hungry and motivated" than ever before to go racing in the 2024 season. Describing the season's commencement as a second chance in his career, the Australian driver is enthusiastic about demonstrating his capabilities.
Key Takeaways:
- Daniel Ricciardo, the VCARB driver, is highly motivated for the 2024 season, considering it a second chance in his career and expressing eagerness without added pressure.
- Returning to full-time racing last year after a six-month break post-McLaren, Ricciardo approaches the new season with renewed energy and excitement.
- Ricciardo, gearing up for the Bahrain Grand Prix, looks forward to the races with enthusiasm, highlighting improvements in the new car and emphasizing the competition's role in performance evaluation.
Ricciardo returned to full-time racing mid-last year after Nyck de Vries was ousted from then AlphaTauri. Thus, with a half-year break since the end of 2022, when he parted ways with McLaren, the 34-year-old looks ahead with a revitalized sense of energy and excitement.
Speaking to Formula1.com ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Ricciardo expressed that he can't wait to go racing. He said:
“At last, it’s time to go racing again.
“I can’t wait to be honest. In contrast to last year, this time it’s been good to have a proper pre-season.
“After 2022, I needed that time off, so it was great to jump in mid-season, but in terms of being fully prepared, this year has been a better way to get ready. I do feel that this is like the start of the second part of my career.
“Having some time off gives you a new perspective. I’m putting a lot of focus into what is a second opportunity for me, but at the same time, it’s not putting pressure on myself.
“I’m hungry and motivated without any negative weight on my shoulders or stress attached to it, to interfere with my life.”
All set to race alongside teammate Yuki Tsunoda, Ricciardo revealed that the new car feels better. He added:
“Like everyone else, I’ve only had a few hours testing in this year’s car.
“It’s natural for a new car to be an improvement on the previous one, but what counts is where we stand compared to everyone else.
“Have we improved more than them or have they improved more than us? It does feel better, but you’re only as good as your competition lets you be.
“I’ve stayed in Bahrain since the test, and with the engineers we’ve spent a lot of hours studying all the data from the three days on track, so we know what we want to do as soon as we hit the track for free practice.”
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