Why fear from Marko actually brings out the best in Ricciardo

Why did you return to Red Bull and can you describe the feeling of the Red Bull family?

"I returned here because they gave me an opportunity, but just being back in the room with them. Talking with Helmut and Christian, there was some nostalgia. Some old times and you’re like ‘fuck I really enjoyed this actually, I enjoyed this environment’. It's not an easy environment but somehow unlocks the most of my potential."

"There was some familiarity. I think also when I got back into the Red Bull factory and into the simulator, I wasn't sure what to expect if the people would be warm to me or if they would be like ‘ah you left but we don't want you back’. But the feeling I had was that everyone was like ‘oh he's back’ and it was warm. I had a real sense of belonging. People created the environment to make me feel like I can 'I can do it again'."

How special is that family feeling within a team? After all, you would say that other teams must also have it, but it is not so?

"Every team has its own dynamic and of course you can have good relationships throughout all the teams, no doubt. But I think the culture here at Red Bull…I mean there is many people here that were here 10, 15 years ago and when I came up into Formula One, I don't forget some of the relationships I had because it's like my first memories. We still talk about it and have a little bit more of a connection."

"I think it's also credit to not only Red Bull racing but Red Bull the brand especially what Mr (Dietrich) Mateschitz created, like this feeling that everyone is like super proud of Red Bull and what it does for athletes, what it does for the sport. When I left in 2018, I probably didn't fully see everything. When you're young, maybe I didn't understand loyalty. I feel now I'm in a place where I get it, I comprehend it a bit more so coming back into it. I'm like oh yeah this is what this feels like and people here really care for each. It's something that I could relate to and something I think I probably missed the last the last few years."

How is it that this culture, and this environment allow you to get the most out of yourself?

"I would start at the top with Helmut and Christian where yes Helmut is very hard, he's very direct but in a way it's what I got used to as a junior. I got used to seeing his phone number and being like, 'fuck, okay, let's try and hear what he has to say'. A little bit of pressure and this feeling of fear I think actually makes me go a step higher. It makes me put a little bit more pressure on myself, but in a positive way. For me it works, I like it."

"And then Christian, I always felt like I had like a good kind of support from him, even in 2018 when I left, we still ended things on good terms. I think he was always in my corner trying to convince me to stay and try to make sure that I was seeing the full picture. So, I think I always had a good relationship with him."

"There is definitely now a feeling of loyalty where it's where I started my career. They gave me this opportunity and I see it again now. Like, it's another opportunity they're giving me in the second phase of my career. So, I'm even more appreciative of it than the first time."

"Then the culture in the team, they are winners. Like, they just want to fucking win. Like, that's it. All the mechanics. They are like freaking triathletes. They are all comparing their times when they're running the track. They're cycling. Like, they just breathe this strong, real competitiveness. And every little bit helps. And I just like the culture they created."

After a poorer start to the season, Ricciardo managed to turn the tide. Where he briefly seemed to lose his seat to Liam Lawson, the Australian is now even being mentioned as Sergio Perez's successor at Red Bull Racing. You can read how Ricciardo managed that turnaround in the story that previously appeared on GPblog.com.