Ricciardo returns to Melbourne: “We’re still trying”

Forced onto the sidelines for last year’s Australian Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo is now roaring to get back on track in front of his home crowd, relying on a miracle to help him secure a “dream” finish come Sunday evening. 

Ricciardo says Melbourne was the race that reignited his need for speed, feeling envious of the drivers as they pulled out of their garages and set alight the picturesque Albert Park Circuit as he was forced to watch from the Red Bull pit wall.

“It was my first race attending and I was watching the cars and there was that, yeah, certainly a bit of envy as I saw them all pull out of the garage,” Ricciardo said.

“I kind of knew already that I wanted to do it again. But yeah, this was where I felt it most. 

“And then every race I went to after that, I was, ‘OK, I’m ready’.”

The year absent from his home race has only fuelled the Honey Badger, who will be starting his 10th Australian Grand Prix come lights out on Sunday. 

Ricciardo remains realistic, however, adding that a miracle home podium would take a 58-lap race remnant of last year’s red flag chaos. 

Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri during the Australian GP press conference. Image: Sam Bagnall / LAT Images.

“Obviously, it’s a dream for us, any driver really, to be on their home podium.

“But yeah, I think for us to get there, it would probably take a little bit of a race like last year.”

The VCARB 01 reportedly had issues in Saudi Arabia, with Ricciardo saying after the race that even if they were able to temporarily address them, it wouldn’t have impacted his P16 result.

This weekend, however, they have been addressed, leaving the #3 hopeful of a more comfortable drive.

“Ahead of this weekend, I think everything’s been addressed,” Ricciardo said.

“I’ve been speaking with the team a lot. 

“I was back in the sim as well after Saudi and before heading home. 

“So yeah, I feel like we’ve done everything we can to come here with our best shot and I’m very, very happy that we’re probably 24 hours away from getting in the car.”

Although his focus is solely Formula 1 this weekend, that didn’t stop Ricciardo from having some fun today.

The West Australian took to the circuit in the Ford SuperVan for a few exhibition laps, doing so with his characteristically big smile gleaming in the Melbourne sun.

Christian Horner and Daniel Ricciardo chat in the Australian GP paddock. Image: Mark Sutton / Sutton Images.

Friday’s running will be much needed for the Honey Badger, whose expectations of a Q3 appearance are only growing.

As it stands, the inter-teammate battle between Yuki Tsunoda and Ricciardo is leaning in the youngster’s favour, with Helmut Marko calling into question the differing performances over the last week. 

The RB teammates have garnered zero points for their team over the first two rounds and only managed one Q1 appearance between them. 

“Of course, I want to be qualifying Q3. I want to get these results that I believe I can. But it’s tight. We’re in such a tight midfield. 

“And like Bahrain in quali, I knew I didn’t put the lap together I should have. And I put my hand up for that. And that’s the difference. 

“That’s the difference from maybe P14 to a Q3. 

“I think end of Q1 in Saudi from P9 to P16 was less than a tenth. So you can very quickly look like a hero or not. 

“That’s where every tenth counts. And that’s where obviously I look to myself first.”

Daniel Ricciardo during qualifying at the Saudi Arabian GP. Image: Zak Mauger / LAT Images.

Knowing what it feels like to take to the podium in front of his home crowd, albeit a temporary joy before the heartache of disqualification, success in Melbourne will be the only thing on Ricciardo’s mind.

“Obviously at the time of standing on the podium and all that, I thought I had it. 

“So I think that’s what I still hold on to in terms of, you know, in that moment in time, I stood on a home podium and the crowd all thought I had the podium at the time.

“You know, obviously hours passed then made it not, but yeah, that was always good and I was happy to get a taste. 

“But of course I’d love it to stick and yeah it’s crazy to think that was 10 years ago but we’re still here. 

“We’re still trying.”

Ricciardo will keep trying when F1 takes to the track for the first time in Melbourne at 12:30 PM, Friday, for the opening practice session of the weekend. 

Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action available via subscription here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – the only place you’ll get to read the full story. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.