Having been unable to return to Australia since June 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Daniel Ricciardo was finally able to spend time with his family during the winter break this year. The McLaren driver has also admitted to having suffered from homesickness during the 2021 Formula 1 season, during which he often struggled to display his best level.
Ricciardo was initially forced to serve two weeks in solitary confinement once in Australia, the restrictions being still very severe on this large island located in Oceania, but he took advantage of this time to maintain his physical condition. , notably thanks to an indoor bike and constant contact with her personal trainer, Michael Italiano.
And once the two weeks were up, the winner of the last Monza Grand Prix was finally able to find his loved ones.
“It was great to come back,” said Ricciardo last Friday during the presentation of the new McLaren MCL36.
“It wasn’t all that easy, because I had to stare at my hotel ceiling for two weeks. But getting out there and finally being able to hug Mommy and Daddy and all that stuff was really nice.”
“Outside of quarantine, I was home for four weeks, mostly with family, so I was doing pretty simple things, like reconnecting.”
“It was the breath of fresh air I needed. It’s always difficult to leave and I certainly suffered in 2021.”
The McLaren driver is now back in Europe as the start of the season approaches, but in theory he shouldn’t have to wait too long to return home. The Australian Grand Prix will indeed return to the F1 calendar in April following a two-year absence, with a modified route on the Melbourne side.
“I’m excited to be racing at home once more, especially with the changes to the layout, and if these new cars do indeed allow us to achieve more overtaking, we might have a very different Melbourne Grand Prix. from those of previous years.
