Daniel Ricciardo expressed his excitement and satisfaction after participating in his first Formula 1 qualifying session since last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Australian driver, representing AlphaTauri, achieved a 13th place finish in Budapest, with his teammate Yuki Tsunoda failing to make it out of Q1 and ending up in 17th place.
Returning to the cockpit after a long break presented challenges for Ricciardo, but he described feeling “relaxed” and “happy” while driving. He acknowledged that there was a hill to climb coming into the weekend but emphasized his focus on regaining the feeling of being himself behind the wheel. The qualifying session provided him with the opportunity to push his car to its limits once again, something he felt he had been missing in the past year or two. Ricciardo expressed gratitude for the time off, which allowed him to rediscover his passion for racing.
Looking forward to the race on Sunday, Ricciardo highlighted the importance of learning about the car both for himself and the team. While competitiveness is crucial, he emphasized the need to be smart and gather valuable information to assist the team. Ricciardo anticipated a steep learning curve in terms of tire management, fuel usage, and understanding the car’s weaknesses. He expressed optimism about being a fast learner and potentially achieving a points finish for the team.
Ricciardo acknowledged that the hot weather and the tight and twisty nature of the Hungarian track posed physical challenges for him in his first race back. Despite the conditioning of other drivers, he expected to feel the physical strain more intensely. However, Ricciardo remained positive and stated that he felt good and was able to move his neck well. He recognized the demanding nature of the Hungarian Grand Prix and considered it one of the toughest races on the calendar.
Overall, Ricciardo displayed his enthusiasm for being back on the Formula 1 circuit and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to race again. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic about his ability to adapt quickly and contribute to the success of the team.