In Formula 1, fortunes can turn in an instant. One lap you’re fending off a Ferrari to secure a podium finish; the next, you’re stuck mid-pack wondering how the weekend slipped away.
For Daniel Ricciardo, who was interviewed by Mel McLaughlin at Connect 25, those swings between glory and frustration have forged a mindset grounded in resilience, adaptability, and the importance of enjoying the good moments before the next challenge arrives.
It’s a mindset real estate agents, living in their own high-pressure, week-to-week scoreboard, will instantly recognise.
“This year’s been a little bit of self-exploration,” Daniel says. “I’ve lived this crazy, high-speed life for so long, and I just sat into a little bit of stillness… figuring out who I am.
Time away from the grid has brought him a deeper appreciation for the small things and for the people who’ve supported him along the way.
“I was always driven and determined, but that also means being selfish… now I’m trying to be more selfless and be there for others.”
His competitive streak was evident from childhood — “I hated losing” — but developing the killer instinct took time. He credits early mentors for pushing him beyond his comfort zone.
“I got to a point where I accepted I’d rather crash trying than just sit there and be conservative… if they saw me coming, they were like, oh, he’s definitely gonna have a go.”
That mindset shone in Miami last year, during what he calls a tough season. In the sprint race, he finished fourth, holding off Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari for the entire race.
“Part of me wanted to celebrate because you just don’t know if that day’s gonna come again soon… I’m glad I took thirty minutes to enjoy that moment.”
The next day’s race didn’t go to plan — a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change. “It can change so quickly… I think it’s important to enjoy little moments. Otherwise, they just slip away.”
Resilience, for Daniel, isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about perspective. After one heartbreaking result, he noticed one of his engineers with tears in his eyes.
“It was a moment of realisation… no one wanted this. Everyone’s hurting. We are the drivers, but we’re not bigger than the team. People feel as much as we feel, and it’s their livelihood too.”
Teamwork in a competitive environment brings its own challenges. Daniel laughs about the “team enemy” mindset he had as a younger driver, seeing his teammate as the main threat.
Over time, he learned the balance: “Let’s work our butts off and make the car as fast as possible, and then when the lights go out, we battle. There was always rivalry, but always respect.”
Off-track, Daniel has resisted the urge to leap into the next thing just for the sake of momentum.
“Not jumping into something has been quite hard. It’s required a lot of discipline, but it’s given me time to keep assessing everything.”
That space has allowed him to spend more time at home in Perth, reconnect with family, and explore side passions — like his winemaking venture — that bring a different kind of satisfaction.
For agents chasing results in a shifting market, his approach resonates: keep the competitive fire, take the big swings when they matter, celebrate the wins before moving on, and never underestimate the value of the team around you.
Or as Daniel puts it, “Sometimes you’ve just got to go for the overtake.”
