Daniel Ricciardo joining exclusive F1 club makes milestone "more significant"

Ricciardo, Mclaren — Photo: © LAT Images

Belgian Grand Prix

Ricciardo joining exclusive F1 club makes milestone "more significant"

Ricciardo will start his 200th F1 race this weekend

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Thursday 26 August 2021 19:10

Daniel Ricciardo has conceded that discovering he was one of only 20 drivers in F1 history to reach 200 races in the sport makes the occasion "more significant".

The Australian made his debut for HRT in the British Grand Prix in 2011 and has since gone on to win seven races at Red Bull, also driving for Renault and now McLaren.

Reflecting on the landmark ahead of this weekend's Belgian GP, Ricciardo said: "I was told the other day I am one of 19 [20 after Sergio Perez reached the milestone earlier this season] in the history of the sport to have got to 200 grands prix.

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"That actually made it more significant. I felt like it was something that more had done so I guess that made me feel maybe a little more proud. It is exciting.

"It is something I have dedicated my life to so to be here 200 grands prix after and still loving it and enjoying it and for the most part being competitive, it is a nice feeling."

Ricciardo remembers 'gaining Alonso's respect'

Recounting memorable moments from his career to date, Ricciardo outlined gaining respect from one of the sport's modern greats as one of his highlights despite having won seven grands prix and scoring 31 podiums.

On his best moment so far, Ricciardo added: "Obvious one is the first victory, that is a day I will never forget - June 8, 2014.

"I think there's just moments along the way, even races that didn't end up being victories or podiums.

"I remember in 2014, Germany with Alonso, I kind of battled him for a few laps on older tyres and I kind of felt at the time he was expecting me to let him go and do his race because I wasn't really in his race but I thought I'd make a battle out of it.

"I don't know if he will see that as a point in time but I felt that was a point in time where I truly gained his respect, so [there are] moments along the way which I personally remember which I am quite happy about."