Ricciardo wants to come back stronger after the break

The Australian driver hopes that this break will allow him to clear his mind before going on to three Grand Prix races in as many weeks, namely those of Spa, Zandvoort, and Monza – the famous “triple-header”.

After another disappointing race in Hungary despite a good start and a magnificent double overtake on the Alpines, the Australian collapsed for the rest of the race. After the Hungarian Grand Prix, he expressed his plans for the summer break.

To be honest, disconnecting from everything gives me a kind of natural reset. At a point, let’s say in 10 days, 2 weeks after the start of the break. I would have somehow cleared it from my mind, then I will rebuild that hunger once again. So I naturally think about it after taking a rest. That’s how I function.

I’m going out with friends, having beers, having fun. And then, I will reach a point where I will start to not feel guilty anymore, and I’ll say to myself, okay, it’s time to go back. This click will probably happen within 2 weeks.

« It’s a bit like last year, I want to approach the second part of the season in a positive way. Three consecutive Grand Prix races are always quite intense. I will come back with strong intentions. That’s the plan. Obviously, it’s easier said than done. But it’s clearly the plan.

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Daniel Ricciardo takes stock after the first part of the season and admits that his McLaren is one of the most challenging cars to drive that he has had until now.

« It is certainly one of the most difficult ones. I remember that before, in a relay race, it was possible to do 20 laps while staying in the same times, within three tenths for 20 laps and being in full control. I have the impression that the variation this year during the relays is greater. I will see how the other drivers are doing, maybe it’s just me, or the entire grid, but I would be surprised to see those who manage to stay within the same times within one or two tenths. I think it is more difficult to achieve.

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« There are rounds where I will do very well, I will manage to put the right ingredients where I will say to myself, it wasn’t bad! But a few rounds later, sometimes I will let go of 4 tenths…

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« It’s not that simple, like when trying to connect the dots, there are obstacles before reaching the next point. So it’s a bit complicated. I suppose when it’s more on the edge or when there are more variables, that’s when it starts to become more difficult. »

After a first part of the season that was more than disappointing, the Honey Badger also seems to be on the hot seat with a possible arrival of Oscar Piastri to replace him by next season. The 3 Grand Prixs after the resumption could determine his future in F1.