Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix challenge, the ever-smiling Red Bull driver - Daniel Ricciardo - talks about handling stress, first traffic violation ticket, quirks, and his bond with teammate Max Verstappen.
Video Sadiq Marzooq
For the full interview click here
1. What are the biggest challenges you particularly face racing in Bahrain?
DR: I mean on days like these - the heat. Any hot race for us is the most physical one because we have so many layers of clothing on, fireproof clothing and the car is hot. So, the heat is always exaggerated more. And when the conditions are like these - it’s physical – it’s very demanding.
2. F1 is very stressful, very demanding. How do you cope with the pressure?
DR: You need balance in life. It (F1) is very demanding. The intensity, the media, the cameras, so, I think when you are away from the racing, you have to be away from all of it. So you need to have some other interests in life.
3. Any interesting anecdote you remember from Bahrain or any other GP for that matter?
DR: One of my best qualifyings was here in Bahrain in 2012 with Toro Rosso. I qualified 6th and that was a big day for me.
4. Have you ever tried Bahraini cuisine?
DR: I don’t know. At breakfast, I tried some middle-eastern type. What is Bahrain specific you tell me?
SS: Machboos or shawarma?
DR: I haven’t tried this. I had something at breakfast this morning with bread stuffed with seeds…don’t know what’s it called.
Somebody prompts: Zatar and labneh
DR: Yeah…I like this.
5. Have you picked up on some Arabic yet?
DR: I haven’t picked up any Arabic so far. Do you want to teach me one word?
SS: Habibi!
DR: Habibi?
SS: That means a friend. Shukraan?
DR: It means ‘cheers’?
SS: No, it means ’thank you’.
6. Have you ever received a ticket for a traffic violation?
DR: Yeah. For speeding. It was when I first received my license, like within one month, when I was seventeen. And since then I have only received one more ticket. So, not bad in ten years.
7. People must recognize you on roads, has anyone challenged you to a race?
DR: No (laughs), not on the road. They know I would win (jokingly). If anybody would (challenge), I won’t (accept it).
8. Do you have any quirks?
DR: Nothing before the race. I love listening to music. I sing in the shower…yeah. That’s about it.
9. One thing that you hate and like about your teammate Max Verstappen?
DR: Hate is a strong word. I dislike that his number is same as mine. His favourite is 3. But what I like is that I had it first, so he is now 33(laughs).