Daniel Ricciardo suffered a burn-out at the end of the season
The Australian has put his Formula 1 career on hold until 2022. This last season was a trying one for him, and he reveals that he suffered a burn-out.
Since his arrival at McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo has been struggling. Apart from his victory at Monza in 2021, the Australian has never been able to compete with his teammate, Lando Norris.
During the year, the Honey Badger learned that he would not be retained for 2023, in favor of Oscar Piastri. If he could have found a seat with Haas, not racing for them next year is ultimately good news.
As Günther said, he contacted me. As the summer break went on and the more time passed – I did the three consecutive Grand Prix that kicked off the second half of the season – it became clearer that it didn’t depend on the phone calls I could receive but on me, that I had to admit that I didn’t want to compete next year, he said in the Beyond the Grid podcast.
Come back stronger
In a way, I am relieved that I was not contacted by a top team, because it’s the kind of situation where you feel the need to sign. Deep down, I really wanted to take some distance.
His end of the season was also mentioned and the former Red Bull and Renault driver reveals having experienced a burnout. « Yes, you could call it a burnout. I’m not afraid to admit it or say it. Everyone has their own opinion, but I know how I feel, I know what I want. There was some of that. »
I don’t mean to say that I’m the only driver who feels this way, but I wouldn’t say that I’m a normal athlete who trains over and over again to improve. Sometimes, the more I do, the more I lose myself in it. I feel the power that a break has for me; I could come back better. It may seem a bit counterintuitive to some, but for me, it could be very beneficial.
