UNITED STATES: McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo adores the Circuit of The Americas. Every time Formula 1 has visited Austin, the lanky Australian nicknamed the “Honey Badger” finds himself a set of boots or a cowboy hat, not to mention the handlebar moustache that he grows for the star-studded weekend.
This weekend, Daniel Ricciardo took his love for the American GP to the next level. He made a theatrical entrance, riding around the Formula 1 paddock on a horse. The horse, named Horsey McHorse, even had its own VIP paddock pass for the day.
Ricciardo rocked a star-spangled jacket, which instantly became a hit on the internet. He was accompanied by his friends, who sang and played the guitar.
Another ex-Red Bull driver, Alexander Albon, who now drives for Williams Racing, rocked up with blonde hair.
Later in the day, during the press conference for the drivers, he joked about how “blondes have more fun,” prompting Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton to quip in with a quick question, asking the Thai driver if he was “blonde everywhere.”
Max Verstappen, the newly crowned two-time World Champion, was in the paddock doing media duties when former teammate Daniel Ricciardo arrived.
He snuck up behind Max and ambushed the Dutchman with a hug. “It’s a bit late,” said Ricciardo, referring to the delay in celebrations after Max’s championship-winning race in Japan a fortnight ago.
Max noticed Ricciardo’s moustache and jokingly asked if his old friend was alright. In response, the Honey Badger joked, “You can’t grow a beard yet, huh? “Two-time world champion and he can’t even grow a beard.
It’s safe to say that the Formula 1 paddock, at least during the American GP weekend, will sorely miss the bright smile of Daniel Ricciardo in case he finds himself without a seat for the upcoming season in 2023.
The American GP weekend could potentially witness Red Bull clinch their first Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship since 2013.
It would be the fifth instance in Red Bull history where the team clinched both the driver’s and constructors’ championships in the same year. The American GP will be held from the 21st to the 23rd of October.
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