Daniel Ricciardo reveals what Jackie Stewart said to him after first F1 success

Follow us on Google Discover

Daniel Ricciardo has shared what he was told by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Jackie Stewart after his early success with Red Bull.

The Australian won eight races in his career which dates back to 2011, when he made his debut for backmarker team Hispania F1.

Daniel Ricciardo was eventually promoted to the Red Bull team in 2014 alongside Sebastian Vettel, where he took the team’s only victories at the Canadian, Belgian, and Hungarian Grands Prix that season.

He decided to leave Red Bull after a winless 2015 season and tough years eventually playing second-best to Max Verstappen, who was emerging as their next potential world champion by 2017.

After leaving Red Bull to join Renault at the end of 2018 he spent two seasons at the French outfit, before making the switch to McLaren in 2021. There he struggled to get on the pace of teammate Lando Norris, he was dropped at the end of the 2022 season.

While enduring success at Red Bull, Ricciardo revealed that Stewart contacted him to help him cope with the highs and lows of being in F1 when speaking on Sky Sports.

Daniel Ricciardo reveals Jackie Stewart supported him in the early stages of his success

Ricciardo was once seen as the future of Red Bull post-Vettel and pre-Verstappen, however, the arrival of the Dutchman made things difficult for him.

The Australian revealed that he received advice from Stewart on how to cope with the tough moments in F1, given how drivers can fluctuate between success on track and difficult moments.

“The 2014 season was my breakthrough year and Sir Jackie Stewart called me into the lobby and he said something to me. He said ‘If you ever need to talk, let me know because it won’t always be as easy as it seems’ and he was preparing me for the lows,” said Ricciardo.

“I was on such a high, ok I couldn’t win the championship that year but everything felt easy. It was only the following year in 2015 I immediately realised what he was talking about. Never get too high or too low and just ride the wave.”

Daniel Ricciardo generates controversy over fastest lap point

Ricciardo potentially took part in his final F1 race at Singapore, now that he is tipped to be replaced by Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson at the sister time from the next round in Austin in October.

He finished the race by setting the fastest lap at the end of the Grand Prix, denying an extra point for McLaren’s Lando Norris and crucially means he drops points to Verstappen.

READ MORE: Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

This means Verstappen can still win the championship if he finishes second in the next six races and Norris wins, regardless of whether the McLaren driver sets the fastest lap.

With Red Bull still having to figure out problems, team advisor Helmut Marko says they plan to bring a big car update at the next race in Austin where they could get back to regular podiums.