Ricciardo: I expected to be world champion by now

  • Published on 06 Mar 2020 15:01
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Daniel Ricciardo admits that he thought he would have a Formula 1 world championship under his belt at the current stage in his career.

The Australian joined Red Bull in 2014 after stints at HRT and Toro Rosso, picking up three grand prix wins in his maiden season with the team.

However, Red Bull failed to produce a title-contending car in the five years he spent with it, and he departed the energy drink-backed outfit at the end of the 2018 season.

Currently racing for Renault, the 30-year-old is competing in the midfield as the Enstone-based squad looks to make gains and close in on the top three in the constructors' championship.

In an interview with Formula 1, Ricciardo revealed that he thought he would have at least one world championship to his name by now.

“After my year in 2014, if I then look at 2020, I would have expected a world title or three,” Ricciardo said.

“From 2014 onwards, I’m certainly not surprised,” he said. “If anything I’m probably a little bit underwhelmed. But from 2011 to now to have the impact I’ve had on the sport and where I’ve put myself, for sure I’m happy and proud. But I’m certainly not there yet and not done.

“I’m pretty happy with the way I’ve gone about it. I don’t really look back and say ‘I should have done that deal then and I shouldn’t have been this or that’. I’m pretty happy.

“If my career ended today, am I disappointed I don’t have a world title? Yes. But could have I actually done anything to change that over that 10 years? Probably not. But I’m not done, so we’re good.”

Replies (4)

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  • Dert38

    Posts: 376

    Yeah exceptionally good. But bad qualies and verstappen support ruined it all...

    • + 0
    • Mar 6 2020 - 23:58
    • Manto02

      Posts: 93

      Even if red bull had a world title contender I think they would keep to support verstappen even with Ricciardo in it.
      Hope Danny will sign a deal for a competitive team in 2021

      • + 0
      • Mar 7 2020 - 12:15
  • Agree with Manto - head to head with Hamilton - the ultimate yardstick to measure how good you are?

    • + 0
    • Mar 8 2020 - 12:15
  • I question his logic and planning to be a world champion. After his entry at Redbull, they never had a promising PU for a championship. It might be his dream, but i never saw the planning that needs to
    Be put into by him to achieve it.

    • + 0
    • Mar 8 2020 - 19:28

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Driver profile

  • Country Australia
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (34)
  • Place of b. Perth, Australia
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
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