Ricciardo: Pain becomes pleasure in Singapore

15:00, 11 Sep 2018
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Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo admits his first race in Singapore was his "worst" experience in F1 but reveals he has enjoyed it more recently...
Singapore is widely known as the hardest track to race on in the F1 calendar due to its heat, humidity and the night setting.
Seven years ago, Ricciardo raced his first race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit and finished in a lonely 19th place and his first experience at the circuit is one he doesn't look back on too much, but now he embraces the "pleasure" of the challenge.
"I have learned to love the challenge of Singapore," the Aussie told Formula One's website. "For me, the first year I raced there in 2011, was one of the worst races I have been involved in. Physically it was so intense, I just underestimated how hard it would be.
"I wasn't in a happy place after that race, it have me a feeling I never want to experience in a race car again, so I made a promise to myself that I would always come to Singapore over-prepared. In a way, this is now something I take pride in; I always get there feeling really sharp and well prepared.
"I now really like that challenge and I also thrive in the heat. In a strange way, the pain has become pleasure over the years."