How Daniel Ricciardo’s 2016 Monaco defeat is helping him in F1 return bid

Daniel Ricciardo is clinging to lessons he learned from his “dark” day at Monaco 2016, as he strives to find a way back to the F1 grid.

The Australian had claimed pole position and was comfortably leading the race when he pitted to change tyres on Lap 32. Indecision from the Red Bull pit crew about whether to fit dry or intermediate tyres resulted in a long stop and Ricciardo losing position to Lewis Hamilton.

He was never able to get past Hamilton over the remaining 46 laps, meaning he was doomed to cross the line as the runner-up – Ricciardo wasn’t able to disguise his unhappiness on the day as he was pictured brooding on the podium and was uncharacteristically dour during his post-race media appearances.

Daniel Ricciardo: Days like Monaco 2016 are the days you learn the most

Ricciardo has gotten used to adversity in recent times, with his two years as a McLaren driver producing very few highs and plenty of lows as he struggled to keep pace with teammate Lando Norris.

With public scrutiny on his lack of performance and Ricciardo nonplussed as to where his form had disappeared, McLaren opted to buy him out of his contract for 2023. Finding refuge as a third driver back at Red Bull, Ricciardo maintains he is eager to find a way back onto the grid for 2024 – perhaps even at Red Bull sister squad AlphaTauri.

His Monaco 2016 defeat remains one of the strongest lessons he’s learned during his F1 career, with the Australian revealing how there are parallels between his mindset after that race and his mindset today.

“They’re the days, or the moments or the times where you… like, sure, it hurts, but that’s temporary,” he told Lissie McIntosh at the Monaco Grand Prix.

“But I think that’s where you learn the most about yourself. So yeah, there’s a pain but, in a way, it’s really a good pain. Like, if you can learn from it, then I do enjoy those experiences. Like, in a sick way.

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“In 2016, that was the darkest I had probably ever been after a race. I looked back on it and I was like ‘This, it means so much to me and that’s why I feel that way’.

“So that’s a good thing. It’s like my priorities are there. The last few years, I think it’s also made me appreciate that when things are going well, you have to enjoy the moment.

“In this world, it’s so easy to be like, ‘OK, next race, next race, next race’, and you don’t always enjoy the little wins.

“Even though I was pretty down last year, and a bit fed up with it at times, as much as I wanted this break, I also was like, ‘OK, I feel this way because I still love it’.

“I wanted this time to really understand how much I do, but yeah, I certainly don’t feel done or retired.”

How Daniel Ricciardo is enjoying his sabbatical

With Ricciardo treating 2023 as a sabbatical year rather than his F1 career being over, he said he’s enjoying his brief break from the sport.

“If you said it was forever [over] now, I think I’d be like ‘Awww’, but I think it’ll just be a year. I’m good, but I miss it. If it’s just a year, then I’m good,” he commented.

The break is doing him good from a mental perspective too, with Ricciardo explaining how he’s had time to enjoy things he hasn’t been able to do in years.

“I think there are a lot of little things, just being able to spend more time with family. That’s been really nice,”  he said.

“The older you get, it’s like the little things, right? That’s what I’m starting to appreciate a little bit more. So getting more time over Christmas with them. Friends, I like reconnecting with friends.

“A lot of time, even if they come and visit me when I’m racing, I’m not the same when I’m racing. I’m in work mode and it’s hard for me to be completely engaged, so to speak. So just to actually be a friend has been really nice and to hear how their life’s going as well. Because, as a driver as well, you’re so selfish a lot of the time. You have to put yourself first.”