Daniel Ricciardo wanted to show he can't be walked over in F1
Daniel Ricciardo says he has tried to express his frustration more regularly in Formula 1 this year to prove he is not a driver who can be walked all over
The Red Bull driver felt it was important he got the message out he does not always smile his way through particular incidents when let down by the team or car, such as when he lost out on potential victories in Spain and Monaco earlier this season.
"There are times when things don't go your way or they don't happen," Ricciardo told Autosport.
"Because I'm always smiling and seen as the nice guy, it is important for people to see that when things aren't as they should be, I'm not just going to get walked over.
"I will stand on my own two feet, and show this does mean a lot to me, that my desire is very strong in this sport.
"I've done it well and said things when I felt I needed to, and then I've just gone about my business when I haven't really needed to do very much.
"Which is why I don't want to say I am ever satisfied, because I am, but until I really get that world championship I will always be back teeth clenched."
Ricciardo believes he should have achieved more by now after scoring three wins in his debut season with Red Bull in 2014 following his promotion from Toro Rosso.
"I'd definitely hoped for more," said Ricciardo.
"Even that year, when it ended, I thought 'You know what? If I'd had that car [a Mercedes] I would have been world champion'.
"Not being able to take all of that since 2014 has been a bit frustrating. I'm sure it will come back around.
"I've certainly learned a lot, to be a bit more - unfortunately - patient, to weather the storm and maximise the good days when they are here."
BEST SEASON SO FAR
Although Ricciardo has yet to take win a race this season the Australian feels up to this point has been "the best half season I've had".
"The level I've approached everything with, the qualifying, certainly, that has got better and better, and some races," he added.
"From the first day of testing I felt like I was on it, and I don't really feel I've lost that.
"When [Daniil] Kvyat was here I was clearly out-performing him, and that was the first little statement, and then Max [Verstappen] came in, and even though he got the win [in Spain], I feel like I've been doing good."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
McLaren's Alonso sure some F1 teams will get new rules wrong
Formula 1 peaked in 2000s, not Senna/Prost era, Alonso believes
How Hamilton has battled his own mentality
RB brands Ricciardo/Tsunoda Chinese GP crashes “unnecessary”
Stroll explains why F1 China penalty for Ricciardo contact felt like "a joke"
The increasing hurdles in front of Ricciardo's potential Red Bull return
Haas disputes Magnussen's Chinese GP F1 penalty was "justifiable"
Ranking the top 10 BTCC liveries
RB brands Ricciardo/Tsunoda Chinese GP crashes “unnecessary”
How rain and strategy spelled disaster for Ferrari in WEC Imola 6 Hours
Chinese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024
Why Verstappen's China F1 win was a sideshow to the real battle
How the pursuit of marginal F1 gains caused Sauber's pitstop stumbles
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments