Perth born racer Daniel Ricciardo will be back in racing action this weekend, as the Formula Renault 3.5 championship resumes after a nine week break at the Hockenheim circuit in Germany. The 21 year-old Australian, who currently lies second in the championship standings with three events to go will be aiming to return to the top step of the podium, having won at the last event in Hungary in July.While most of the Formula Renault 3.5 drivers have been enjoying a summer break, Red Bull Junior Daniel has been busy with his duties as reserve driver for the Red Bull and Toro Rosso F1 teams.
Attending F1 races, Daniel gets a full insight into the workings of a top F1 team. Daniel attends official drivers’ briefings and various Red Bull and Toro Rosso driver briefings – pre and post sessions.
Daniel also helps with media and PR activities at F1 events, for example the Tech 1 driver completed VIP and media laps around the Hockenheimring earlier this summer. The Australian can also be called upon to speak to Red Bull and Toro Rosso guests in the teams’ hospitality unit.
While his F1 duties have taken up plenty of time during the summer, Daniel has also been focusing on his own race programme. In preparation for the remaining three Formula Renault 3.5 events, Daniel has been training hard to make sure he is in the best possible physical condition for the races ahead. Attending a Red Bull training camp, Daniel has completed high altitude training; cycling, hiking and training in the Austrian mountains.
Heading to Hockenheim this weekend for the sixth round of the Formula Renault 3.5 season, Daniel is just 11 points behind championship leader Mikhail Aleshin. The Hockenheim circuit will be a new experience for the FR3.5 teams, as the circuit features for the first time on the World Series calendar. Daniel has good experience of the Hockenheim circuit, having raced there last year in the British F3 Series.
Speaking about the weekend ahead, Daniel said, “It’s been a really long break and I’ve really missed being the car to be honest. My F1 duties have kept me pretty busy, but I’ve still had time to work on my fitness which will help me in the final races. The championship is obviously my aim, but I’m approaching it race by race. Consistency will be the key in these remaining races.”
