If Hamilton is box office for F1, especially in America, then Ricciardo is not far behind. What you see is what you get, the man is just constantly smiling and happy to be an F1 driver. On the podium he is pure gold, and I hear his name so much when I meet fans around the world. Other drivers take note, it literally pays to be happy.
In fact the only time I’ve known him anything less chirpy was when I interviewed him on the podium in Monaco when a scrappy pit stop had just robbed him of a very deserved victory. He was understandably devastated, but believe it or not Daniel and his dad, totally unnecessarily, separately apologised to me that he was grumpy. That’s class and style and the sign of genuine folk.
Martin Brundle on Daniel Ricciardo
People talk about wanting ~characters~ in F1, but I don’t think people actually acknowledge the ones we have. Lewis might have good looks and the ~lifestyle~, but Daniel has about 15000 times the charisma and charm. He could definitely be the ~face~ that F1 needs, and I hope he gets a championship-winning car if only so he gets the attention and rewards he deserves.
suchasinistergame 