Daniel Ricciardo Makes Humble Acceptance About the Early Struggles of 2021 F1 Season

The ongoing pandemic has certainly had a rather pitiful effect on the athletes around the world, with most of them owning the job of traveling a lot and obligated to stay within the bio-bubble to avoid spreading the virus within the respective sporting community. One such athlete that has endured such a mentally difficult couple of years is Formula One driver, Daniel Ricciardo.

Being an Australian, Ricciardo admitted that he hardly ever earned an opportunity to visit his parents in the middle of an F1 season since 2020. One might wonder why? Well, This is because Australia is one of the fewest countries to maintain stringent travel restrictions for both tourists and citizens.

Hence, Ricciardo revealed that he was homesick at one point.

What did Daniel Ricciardo say?

As reported by Autosport, Ricciardo affirmed that he would have bought his parents a couple of flight tickets to a Grand Prix weekend had the conditions been normal. However, owing to the pandemic, the McLaren driver’s ability to accomplish the same became impossible.

Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 23, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo during practice REUTERS/Mike Blake

“Homesick sounds dramatic. But, I definitely missed family and stuff,” he said. “We’ve normally had the quite fortunate [option] to, if I wanted mum and dad here, I’d say, ‘guys, I’m gonna buy your plane ticket. Jump on a plane and come.’

“So the ability not to be able to do that as well kind of made it also quite frustrating because it’s out of our control,” Ricciardo added.

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You can feel very lonely: Ricciardo

Ricciardo further revealed that, when his on-track performances go downhill, he would often crave love and affection from his family which was missing throughout the 2021 season.

“I wouldn’t say it affects me in the act of driving. But particularly when maybe it doesn’t go well, then it definitely has an effect. Because all you want is some of that support, and family love,” he said. “And also when it doesn’t go well, you can also feel very lonely.”

Formula One F1 – Formula One – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 3, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

“There’s elements which I think they would have helped. If they were here, it would have helped me snap out of a bad mood or low moment a bit quicker.”

Overall, it almost looks like Ricciardo’s homesickness could well extend into the forthcoming 2022 F1 season. But, how will it actually play out in reality?

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