Ricciardo calls return to Red Bull 'funny'

In the Australian podcast In the Fast Lane by Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonto, Daniel Ricciardo answers some burning questions many an F1 fan might have about his departure from McLaren and return to the Red Bull family as a third driver.

The 33-year-old driver describes being part of Red Bull again as "funny, because yes it’s a third driver role, I’ve been racing in F1 for over ten years now."

"It shouldn’t be that exciting I guess, but it really was" the Australian said. Despite the fact that many could not imagine him returning to Red Bull, Ricciardo indicated that you should "never say never".

Mercedes also interested

It was not only Red Bull that was interested in Ricciardo, he also had talks with Mercedes. "I was appreciative of their engagement" says the driver, but "it stalled a little bit and then the Red Bull stuff started to make more and more sense." He does say, however, that it was nice to be able to talk to Mercedes - with whom he has had talks at other stages of his career.

Although his career at McLaren was stumbling, Ricciardo also managed to get through the last few races where he already knew he had lost his seat. "I think fortunately I was still able to find some hunger through it all. I still want to prove myself. It’s kind of a thing where your back’s up against the wall, you can just stay leaned up against it or push back off it. I don’t want to sit here and say it’s easy to just show up and do your job, I just try to find all these little things that give me the fuel or hunger."

Asked if he won't miss racing himself, the Australian replied that he does love the competitive element. "Yes I love the speed of F1 and all the other stuff that comes with it, ultimately why I race is because I love competing."

That he cannot be found on the track for the time being will provide balance, the driver said, but "I would be very surprised if I watch races, especially if I’m at the track and I’m not wishing I was out there and not wishing I was competing and stuff like that." It remains to be seen how long Ricciardo will have to keep this seat at Red Bull warm, and whether he can return to racing with them or another team after all.