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🫶🫶🫶

#joy #ciao #danielricciardo #dr3 #formula1 #f1

ciao!

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Another steam of consciousness on Mr Daniel Ricciardo and no sleep so apologies in advance if things are a bit scattered.

A little scared to post because tags have been intense.

Anyways....

Happy for Daniel. Everyone criticized him for taking a break last year (which he clearly needed) and not taking a Haas/Williams seat. People thought that he thought he was too good. Well, he's now taking a seat at the last place team, to rebuild and prove himself. He sees a pathway, but he's taking the step down in hopes for a long view move. He is a multiple race winner and probably could have retired but of course, unfinished business. Beauty of the sport. The comeback. He's allowed the chance to rebuild and is literally starting with a back marker team now and knows he has to prove himself. But now, people are pressed he is in a seat. Again, obviously Red Bull see something in him. If they weren't seeing some indication - based on Red Bull's history of being cutthroat - this wouldn't be a conversation. Even on that Simon Rennie/RB podcast, Simon mentioned not wanting to basically lie or hype Daniel up if the results weren't there. There's a trust there. Luckily, they saw something. They literally can't hire Daniel solely for markeing/PR. Does it help? Of course. Everyone has to find value wherever they can. There's only 20 seats people have to take their opportunities where they can.

Alpha Tauri is a junior team narrative. It was but they've obviously repeatedly put out there they're looking for a restructure with one experienced driver and one younger, and they're going to be using Red Bull parts. Two young drivers (unless you're a generational talent like MV) could very well result in little to no points and they're dead last right now. Haas had to bring back two experienced drivers to make up for the previous years of two young drivers. They need an injection of experience.

Pay Driver - He has not had a family member nor a huge corporation buy his way into the sport. He's built a career where people are interested in him - over 10 years - how can people find a way to penalize that? Again, he can't win. Just because he can pull in interest from huge sponsors - again, after years of building a career, that's just the business. If it was based on that person's definition alone - Lewis, Lando would also be pay drivers. But it isn't based on that factor alone. There's so many factors.

A lot of people deserve things, but this is a competitive sport, so nothing is ever guaranteed. Liam may very well deserve a spot on the grid, but you could also say he never would have had this opportunity if not for DR's accident. Also, if he’s as great as people think he is - I’m not too worried for him. People keep going back to Alex Albon's appendix causing the string of recent events but sometimes I think - this all wouldn't have happened if Daniel hadn't left Red Bull in first place lol. Maybe he'd still have his Red Bull seat now! I don't mean that in a he shouldn't have left, just that his leaving kind of caused a similar effect and gave all these other people opportunities lol. But again, that's not really how it works. They're making decisions based on today's circumstances. And now, he's come back but has to re-earn his spot. His leg up is Christian Horner supports him, but he still has to perform to get back. Just think it's funny people are acting like, there won't be hard work or there's no talent (again, drivers don't forget how to drive). It's complicated and impossible to identify who "deserves" a seat more or less. So many variables and impossible to be definitive (the way some people speak as if they know everything/must be right). Guess, we could argue forever which is what's entertaining. That said....

Professionalism/Kindness. While I think everyone knows that the way McLaren handled Daniel's exit was in poor taste, never once did Daniel complain or make excuses. He was professional and continues to be. The results weren't there. When he was fired (let go, released), he understood it. Acknowledged the results weren't there and this was part of the sport (I'll get into that NY Times article another time - but it was clearly not for a lack of trying). Daniel called Oscar Piastri to tell him no hard feelings. Wanted him to still have a positive start. Even Checo has been asked about Daniel "coming after his seat" and presumably under a lot of pressure for 2025 and his response was also professional and an understanding of the sport. He said Daniel's a friend and there are only 20 seats, there's no hard feelings. It's up to him (Checo) to perform. They all understand. Nobody inherently deserves or is guaranteed a seat. Wish some fans would understand. If the drivers aren't publically pressed about it themselves - maybe everyone just calm down. People are just so nasty, and without actually knowing all the information. Twitter/X is the worst. This should be fun, juicy, competitive but no need to bring hate or be nasty.

That's all for now🤷🏻‍♀️. As always, happy to discuss but please be kind (or funny).

#daniel ricciardo #dr3 #danny ric #f1 #formula 1

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Daniel Ricciardo may not have gotten a point today, but he sure as hell made one

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At the height of the DR to Mercedes rumors, you think it was that picture of Toto Wolff in DR merch that got Christian Horner and RB to make their move? 🤣🫠

#daniel ricciardo #dr3 #danny ric #f1 #formula 1 #joking (but am I?) ha

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For all the issues with RBR and Christian Horner, have to say them basically giving DR this lifeline, basically creating a role to bring him home, to keep him in the sport, in a very unique scenario too, whatever their reasons, for now, while he figures things out, at least Daniel can rest a bit easier for the year.

#daniel ricciardo #dr3 #danny ric #red bull racing #rbr #formula 1 #f1

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Random DR thoughts Part 34.5 - jk. Latest thoughts -

Who do people keep saying Daniel won't be back or this is his last F1 race ever? He needs the year off - he's explicitly said so. I hope even Jenson Button (clearly cares for DR but also hasn't helped by criticizing him publically) seems to finally get it. Loved how passionate Jenson is about him and his belief in Daniel, but he should just be a friend or speak privately) or publically acknowledge nobody knows what could happen. You can just see and hear it in Daniel's interviews. Man is ready to take a 2-month nap.

The truth is the same teams that are avail currently like Haas, Williams (and more) will still be there. For them to get someone of Daniel's caliber, the door will always be open. Daniel specifically said it isn't about Haas/Williams. And has stated if he gets in a car now, and doesn't have the spirit and fight needed and ends up in another failed campaign, his F1 career would be over anyways. He admitted he can't keep on weight from the stress. For the 10 years before he handled the stress beautifully, clearly this is an outlier. Can people please listen to him?

Clearly trying to maintain professionalism for the team/this year is taking its toll. Notice he did not thank or mention Zak or Andreas in his letter (nor did Zak post about DR today). He's started to slip by mentioning the contract situation during interviews - like we can't avoid talking about it. The truth is everyone's tired of maintaining everything's ok. Again - do I wish McLaren or even journalists would acknowledge McLaren's role more? Only Sebastian Vettel has dared to make such a remark. Everyone dances around it. Much easier to critize Daniel, then hold the team accountable for having gone about the process so terribly. No one wants to make enemies so everyone just skirts around. He, again, like a grown up, accepted responsibility for poor results. What is heartening is clearly the McLaren team love Daniel. I love that he and Lando found a way to, it seems, have a genuine friendship! In any event, EVERYONE is tired of maintaining the elephant in the room.

He just needs a break.

If Magnusson and Hulkenberg can bump into these team sideways and manage to find seats after 2-3 years away, why wouldn't Daniel have a chance to do so? I'm sure a DR at 100% in 2024, should he decide he wants to, will be fine. I kind of can't wait for him to be a menace during specific races in 2023 once he's had some time! Of course, his choices at top teams are limited, but the market will always have movement, and while re might not be better, one can only hope!

I saw some takes on here that did make me sad. Daniel should be able to have the same kind of send off as Seb or Kimi -it's true. Heartbreaking. I'm choosing to believe this isn't the actual end. If they started the send offs now, it would feel like a true ending. He does however eventually deserve a proper send off!

Fantasy thinking (for fun, joke): Max wants him back as a teammate, he'll clearly make it so!! I mean, that hug today 🥺?? Alonso and Stroll Sr and Jr will for sure have issues. Don't think Alonso thought through this move. If he's already pissed about Alpine/Esteban - why put yourself in a place where you have to work with your boss' son?! As sometime who has to work with a nepotism hire, trust, you can't win! Starting to feel like I’m writing 2023 DTS scenes. Ha. Someone said a lot of people on the grid need to be on their best because Daniel is a good option - and they do!

People forget F1 isn't singularly about the sport/results. It is a money driven business, and Daniel's value - in addition to his skills -come into okay as well. It would be curious to better understand how impactful it is.

(Ok, off soap box. Even as this entire day has been a dumpster fire of emotions.)

#daniel ricciardo #dr3 #danny ric #f1 #formula 1

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THIS.

I wish Daniel had been given some respect/considerations. Again, we know the results weren’t consistent and I know the circumstances were different (he hasn’t been w McLaren nearly as long, tho I'd argue he's been a great ambassador for both McLaren and the sport of F1), but he had a contract and at some point when it was discovered McLaren signed Oscar, there were rumors about making sure Daniel had somewhere to land. Bummer this is all playing out this way. I think the stickyness is they didn't want to pay out his contract initially (kept him on the hook), when Piastri became free they just dropped him and somehow then found willingness to pay. I guess I feel they always wanted to drop him (ie all the Indy drivers) so if that's the case they could have said months ago - not working out, let's settle something reasonably and then given him more time to find another seat. Honestly, the mental health toll this must have taken. How is anyone expected to perform when you feel the pressure of the ax? The the whole thing just feels like a mess. Just wish he had been afforded some time and consideration. For an experienced driver to be caught in the wind, just tough. For those taking the black/white view of “no results, he deserves this” - just try to remember we’re all humans. Being judged so harshly on 18 months is tough (out of a 10+ year career), and again, while the partnership didn’t reach expectations, it wasn’t for lack of trying and drives/results like last weekend are still possible. He also, I'm sure, lifted the team in other ways - for their brand with marketing and promotions. As much as we want to say it's just purely race results driven, it's truly more complicated and nuanced. He's also been a class act towards McLaren, Oscar, etc.  Anyway, he's a human being and the vitrol on Twitter/IG just feels harsh and cavalier. Constructive criticism is one thing, but people can be so unkind. (I know its a subset of the F1 community but somehow those comments always feel the loudest) 

Anyway, back to the video, loyalty is pretty tough to find, I guess, in competitive sport. But seeing the lengths Toto went to take care of Valterri (even w tough decision) warms the heart and is something to respect. And if this is how Toto and Mercedes treats people - if DR is not be on grid in 2023 - better to be with people like this. And of course, shout-out to Lewis and George who’ve been vocally supportive this year (although biggest shoutout is to Seb, and maybe George for wearing his merch🫶🫶🫶) ♥️♥️♥️ 

As always, whatever Daniel decides, hope he is happy and at peace. 

Anyone want to commiserate about or celebrate DR? Hearing the Alpine news - while happy for Pierre - feeling melancholy about DR. Ha. 

#daniel ricciardo #dr3 #f1 #formula 1 #mclaren #toto wolff #lewis hamilton #george russell #mercedes

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Post-race ramblings today…one day I’ll attempt to be more succinct.

To start, Daniel drove really well today, despite the car. I think he really showed his race craft, experience and skills. Despite the unfortunate ending, it felt clear his form is still there. Post-race he seemed pretty down (not surprising, after the few weeks and months he’s had) but I hope he regains some confidence and spirit. He’s a damn good driver. For someone who’s won and podiumed while never really being in a true race winning car - and has shown his talent and abilities, I truly believe he’s someone who has earned his wins and accomplishments. When opportunities arrived, he took them and created results. The most wholesome thing ever was Pierre Gasly showing Daniel such support today! He complimented Daniel over and over again today and repeatedly pointed out Daniel made no mistakes. The respect Daniel’s competitors and friends have for him says something. Pierre mentioned it with Buxton, in the Alpha Tauri post-race video and his own IG! Between him, George, Lewis and Seb - and I’m sure others - I hope Daniel feels the love and support! I hope he’s able to regain and build back confidence. Today’s race showed his skills and form.

I hope he takes the next two weeks off to be with family and friends. Know he’ll be making some big decisions. I hope there’s an opportunity for him that he’s excited about, and I hope they’re excited about him. What a shitty few months it’s been and there’s still a few more months to go.

Now, for the frustrating part of the weekend. As usual, I’ve never argued that McLaren had and has the right to make changes. The results haven’t been there, the car clearly doesn’t suit, but also the car is a tractor.

To be clear, not trying to make this personal when speaking about Lando, I’m trying to point out McLaren’s behavior.

McLaren isn’t even fighting for the championship this year. The year started with car isn't where it needs to be, we're a team...to Daniel isn't performing. Why does it seem like McLaren always feel the need to have Lando ahead of Daniel, at basically any cost? It just feels gross. Probably why seeing Daniel’s start today (whether it was Lando’s machinery, luck or skill) felt so satisfying! They literally couldn’t ask Daniel to hold position at a start. Started to think about how often we hear on the team radio Daniel being asked to hold position/give up the position. Has anyone compiled from this year every team radio asking Daniel to hold position, or switch positions sacrificing his own races? Just curious how often it’s happening.

Again it feels like they never address it. Viewers and fans call it out. Even Daniel doesn’t address it and is usually very diplomatic. It just feels maddening sometimes.

Fact is Lando is outperforming the car and Daniel, plus a combination of bad car/luck and it’s created a tsunami of a bad narrative.

Just a thought though -

In general - wish they’d just let them race!

Just asking for fairness in competition. Maybe the narrative wouldn’t be so damning for Daniel. Mostly, this is on Twitter, where the narrative is so toxic and visceral and all people write is that he’s washed, which just lacks such nuance. As Daniel has said, constructive criticism is one thing, telling him to leave the sport is another.

The narrative is Daniel isn’t performing but again very little mentioned about 1) the car 2) McLaren’s strat calls and 3) bad luck. Lastly, it feels like they courted a race winning driver to join their team but then did very little to take in his experience (10+ years) and actually help develop a better car, period. I get it, they’ve thrown in with their future, but sometimes I wonder - if they’d developed a car with his input - and yes, adapting more to his style (and helping McLaren change their notoriously difficult car to drive) - what could have been? Maybe it could have also better suited Lando too. What if, right?

Anyways, I hope he finds the opportunity he’s happy with. I want him to find a team that supports him. I hope there’s a great reward for both his skills, and who he is as a competitor and person.

Or as Susie Wolff has said "Sport is brutal. That's why you need to be ruthless, competitive. But I don't believe that to be successful you need to be an asshole."

Daniel has been a class act. Knowing he spoke to Oscar Piastri and Mark Webber also shows a kindness and maturity, and that he’s, Datsu again, a fantastic competitor and human.

Wishing the best for him! He deserves it.

♥️♥️♥️

#daniel ricciardo #f1 #formula 1 #mclaren #mclaren f1 #pierre gasly

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completely accurate. ha.

What I've learned from this Alpine-Oscar-McLaren legal battle is that that no one knows how to use a lawyer except maybe Daniel

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This is probably why the Daniel Ricciardo ousting feels especially bad. He is a 10 year veteran of the sport. Again, absolutely nobody disputes McLaren's reasons for making a change due to results, but did they have to treat him with such disrespect? He could be facing a sabbatical or worse retirement - and this was the best they could do?

For anyone saying - he has the payout - 1) He has and had a valid contract. It's not his fault Zak Brown and McLaren didn't negotiate a better contract or an exit clause on their side. That feels like a business 101 mistake. They have to pay it out because it was valid. And they essentially broke the contract by trying to and signing other drivers. If they were up front, this could have worked out differently (maybe Daniel could have been at Aston Martin, letting him know earlier in the year might have changed a lot). (If I'm being honest, though I can't confirm, it feels like they have been trying to get him to quit but again - hard to prove that). 2) If Daniel faces retirement, he deserves to have his contract, as negotiated, paid out.

3) I bet Daniel would have rather be on the grid in 2023 vs being potentially forced out/paid out.

After 10 years in the sport, he deserves a lot more respect, class and grace. Respect, class and grace he has always embodied and exuded himself. He deserves a better exit, if this indeed the end. After not performing for let's say last year or so at McLaren, he still has a rich history in the sport and he is still ahead of other drivers on the grid. I get it, it's a cut throat sport. It almost feels like the "punishment" - total evisceration of the guy doesn't match the "crime" of not having consistent results (due to driver style and car not being a match, fine). McLaren helped create a narrative that could hurt/end his F1 career.

In some ways, what's maddening is that McLaren is acting like they've done nothing wrong. That might be why fans and people feel so unhappy and turned off. There's no acknowledgement of what happened. They can go on and on about "it's just business" but there's something called human decency, sportsmanship and again, a valid contract. They basically allowed Daniel to become publically humiliated over and over again and to get ripped to shreds (despite them having a mediocre at best/bad car). Ultimately, they absolutely could have gone about it differently.

With everything that's happened, McLaren have robbed him of that. If he is indeed exiting the sport, it should have been a celebration and not an ousting. He isn't just the last 18 months in the sport.

Another melancholy late night ramble...

Of course, I hope this isn't the end and know he has strength, perseverance and will. I do hope he doesn't give up and he finds what makes him happy.

(I wish an F1 journalist or media would speak to this more eloquently)

#daniel ricciardo #f1 #formula 1 #mclaren #mclaren f1 #If this is indeed the end (I hope it's not)

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Late Night/Early Morning. Thoughts on McLaren and Daniel Ricciardo. 

Basically me trying to outlogic all the online haters and their arguments, or at least get them to empathize. Long time lurker, but recent events are causing this verbal vomit essay. Please forgive any newb to Tumblr mistakes.

Of course - this is sport and nobody should get abuse, but we also should be able to call it how we see it. Also, trying to find nuance, empathy and sympathy is what the world really needs. 

Daniel Ricciardo deserves better. He is clearly a respected member of the F1 community and some people are forgetting the ten years he's been a part of the sport. While he had some bad races these past two years, he’s also had good ones and he still deserves a place in F1.

To everyone who says "Daniel wasn't performing, he deserves it..." McLaren absolutely had and has the choice to make a change, if they felt he wasn't performing, but it wasn't for lack of trying and they didn't need to eviscerate Daniel to do so. That's what people are upset about. The lack of integrity Zak Brown has when it came to dealing with this was just astonishing. Dangling an F1 seat that wasn't technically available to so many people. Imagine having a job/contract, and your boss is interviewing people all around the building you work at...for your job! This was clearly happening for months - how can anyone expect someone to perform well? So while DR hasn't been performing with a car that's difficult, add this and is it really a surprise he's been inconsistent? Just imagine what he's had to go through this year. Add world stage, and the pressure becomes something impossible to ignore. 

Also - what's the point of a contract? In my opinion, Zak Brown wanted Daniel to quit so they wouldn't have to pay out his contract. Obviously that didn't happen, guessing due to Oscar/Alpine blow up. How McLaren could negotiate such a terrible contract for themselves? One will never know. Thank goodness Daniel gets paid out - they broke the contract. They're also effectively and potentially leaving him without a drive in F1 for 2023 - so yes, they should be paying him out. That's the point of a contract. 

Ultimately, they could have worked with Daniel to ensure a more honorable and peaceful exit. Who knows maybe if Daniel knew this was going on / they wanted the change - and didn't overtly commit to McLaren - Aston Martin could have been another option. Sigh, what could have been. (Ps. Scotty James/Chloe Stroll/Lance Stroll get papa Stroll to move away from Fernando and sign DR. Based on public personas, sure Lance would rather work with DR anyway. And since contracts don't seem to hold up, why can't this be a reality? Kidding, kind of. Ha)

Ultimately, nobody denies it's a bad fit between Daniel and McLaren and a change should happen - they didn't need to tear the man down to do it. Hate the circumstances, but ultimately happy Daniel is getting out. 

Also, do people really think Oscar Piastri is innocent in this? Or maybe Mark Webber poorly managed this situation. He and Mark Webber went after a seat that wasn't technically available (no matter how McLaren positioned it), one a fellow countryman technically held. It's a sad start to Oscar's F1 career because it's leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouth. 

And fuck yes to Seb Vettel for not only supporting Daniel, but pointing out what no one else will. They have failed him - not only in never extracting his potential (aka getting the car closer to Daniel and his strengths), but more monstrously, they failed him as a human. For everyone saying it's a business (even Daniel has admitted that), and it is, but some empathy and kindess could have gone along way.

Now, McLaren is like divorced couple who have to live in the same house for nine more races. 

And through it all, Daniel remains resilient. Class act. He's basically killing them with kindness. I hope he finds what he's looking for next year and beyond. He deserves better. 

And jumble of thoughts over. Anyone share these thoughts? A little nervous to post. Happy to have discourse and disagreement, but please be respectful♥️

#daniel ricciardo #danny ric #ricciardo #formula 1 #formula one

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How I'm feeling, where I'd rather be...