24 hours with Daniel Ricciardo

In the lead up to the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, carsales ambassador Daniel Ricciardo talked to motoring.com.au about his race-day preparation and how each GP day unfolds, both in private and under the watchful eyes of F1 fans.

About last night
The night before race day Dan allows himself a little freedom, preferably surrounding himself with family and friends, quietly putting F1 thoughts aside for a short while.

"We eat at the track nearly every night and we’re there until late. So Saturday we actually normally get a chance to get out early, because there’s only so much we can do after qualifying… [By] then the race is fixed and the car is fixed," Dan explained…

"So I’ll try to have a meal with friends or family… That’s cool to take your mind of the race. Ideally I’m out Saturday night enjoying a local meal wherever I am in the world."

But with much at stake the next day, it’s hardly a night for partying, nor gastronomic experiments.

"I try and stay away from two things. Something tiring or draining - so if I’m going to out somewhere I guess I still want it to be causal and low key. Not somewhere where I’m going to get mobbed or has a nightclub atmosphere!

"And I’ll turn way from any food that I haven’t had before. I love to have something local or from the region, but I’m still careful. I’m not going to eat something that might upset my tummy or give me a crap night sleep… Or upset me in the car the next day."

Dan’s typical race week food includes grilled chicken breast, grilled vegetables some quinoa and lentils, some avocado and egg. Much like a normal human eating a balanced diet!

Our 20 questions with Dan recently revealed that given the choice, he’d take a vegemite sandwich over peanut butter one and does not discriminate against people who order pineapple on their pizza.

Coming from someone who drinks from a shoe, that’s a fair call.

"I’m probably less strict on Saturday night than I am any other night of the week. I’m not too fussy - but I have made the mistake of eating too much meat before – and I woke up in the night up with meat sweats… So I wouldn’t go heavy on meat."

We all make mistakes, Dan. Culinary ones can be forgiven – but clearly not forgotten.

Hitting the sack
On the importance of a good night’s sleep and bed time curfews, Dr Ricciardo recommends placing a sensible foot forward. There’s a lot riding on it!

"The night before I’ll try to be in bed by 10.30-11pm – I mean I’m normally not in bed after 11pm. I’d say 10.30pm is when I’m looking at my bed. It’s pretty important."

The big day
There’s little time for sleeping in on race day, with a packed schedule before the race even begins.

“Basically, I wake up and stretch in the morning. Then I’ll have some breakfast – I try to eat well on race day… eat [something with] good substance.

"Head into the track and then it starts. There’s media, strategy meetings, strategy and engineering with the guys… After that, normally some lunch. Then there’s the drivers’ parade and more interviews.

When Dan gets back from the drivers’ parade he normally has around an hour before the start of the race.

"That’s me time," He explains…

"I’ll lock myself in my room, with my trainer normally. And then I’ll put my music on and stretch. Get changed, get ready and set a few little targets and just reiterate some things for the race."

Hitting the track
Come race time, Ricciardo puts it simply… "Get in the car, then do my thing. Race!"

And afterwards?
Likely to be both emotionally and physically drained – especially so with the new higher-downforce faster 2017 cars – the end of the race is far from the end of Ricciardo’s day. There are more calories to be consumed, among other things.

"People think it’s done, but it’s not," Dan explains.

"Say for example if the race finishes at 3pm, we’ve got media and all this stuff… we’re probably done with that by 4pm. Then we normally go straight to the engineering meeting, probably until 5.30pm. Then there’s a chance to eat some food.

"If the race finishes at 3pm, we’re easily there until 7pm. So there’s kinda like still four hours while you’re still on the go.

"Eventually we get out of the track, that’s when it hits you… you feel exhausted.

"The first thing I look forward to is a shower, then some food. I’ll have something after the race like a light diner, then I’ll have proper dinner [later on] Sunday night.

"That’s what I look forward to a big dinner!

"I don’t have too many rules on Sunday night in terms of what I eat. If it’s been big, I’m like ‘give me some calories’! And if it’s a decent result and in a good city… if it’s not a back to back race and if I can afford to… if my health is allowing me to do it. I do enjoy a celebratory night.

"Well, I’m still young enough to do it!"

The Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix is on now!