# Talking Ball with Daniel Ricciardo and Simon Rennie
## Introduction
- Nicola Hulme welcomes Daniel Ricciardo and Simon Rennie, Daniel's former racing engineer and current Group Leader of Simulation Engineering, to the Talking Ball podcast.
## Working Relationship
- Nicola asks about their working relationship, both past and present.
- Daniel and Simon share that they have a good friendship outside of racing and enjoy spending time together.
- Daniel expresses his appreciation for being back at Red Bull and feeling a sense of belonging and familiarity.
## Daniel's Return to Red Bull
- Nicola brings up Christian Horner's comments about Daniel's transformation upon his return to Red Bull.
- Daniel acknowledges that he had lost some confidence and weight during his time away from the team.
- He explains that it took him some time to regain his confidence and momentum in the simulator but eventually felt like his old self again.
## Daniel's Role as Reserve Driver
- Daniel discusses his role as the reserve driver for Red Bull, focusing on his work in the simulator and behind-the-scenes contributions.
- He emphasizes the importance of having a long-term perspective in simulator development, looking beyond individual race events.
- Daniel highlights the value of his experience and ability to provide feedback to the race team, even though he is not actively competing.
## Differences Between Engineering in Simulators and at Races
- Nicola asks about the differences between engineering in simulators and at races.
- Simon explains that the focus at race events is on optimizing the car and driver performance for the specific event, while simulator work involves longer-term development and addressing recurring issues.
- Daniel adds that simulator work allows for more in-depth analysis and exploration of different setups and strategies.
## Daniel's Relationship with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
- Nicola inquires about Daniel's relationship with his teammates, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
- Daniel expresses positive sentiments towards both drivers, acknowledging his long-standing friendship with Max and his admiration for Checo's resurgence in recent years.
- He mentions that he enjoys the camaraderie and learning opportunities within the team.
## Daniel's Race Fitness and Preparations
- Nicola asks how Daniel has maintained his race fitness despite not actively competing.
- Daniel admits that he took some time off after last season to mentally and physically recharge.
- He explains that he gradually resumed training and regained his motivation to return to racing.
- Daniel emphasizes the importance of internal motivation and enjoying the training process.
- He acknowledges the challenges of getting back into an F1 car after a break but expresses excitement about the upcoming race.
## Daniel's Return to Racing with AlphaTauri
- Nicola brings up the recent announcement of Daniel's return to the grid with AlphaTauri.
- Daniel expresses his enthusiasm for the opportunity and the unique challenges it presents.
- He mentions that he is eager to contribute to the team's success and is grateful for the support he has received.
## 100 Objects: Trophy from 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix
- Nicola introduces the "100 Objects" segment, where guests bring an object that holds significance during their time at Red Bull.
- Simon presents a trophy from the 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix, which Daniel had won.
- They reminisce about the race, highlighting the satisfaction of winning after a disappointing race the previous year.
- Daniel emphasizes the rarity of race victories and the importance of cherishing such moments.
## **Monaco 2018 Race**
- Daniel Ricciardo recalls the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix, where he faced a significant problem during the race.
- He experienced a loss of power due to a Motor Generator Unit - Kinetic (MGUK) issue, leading to potential brake failure.
- Despite the challenge, Ricciardo managed to finish the race and secure a victory, demonstrating his resilience and adaptability.
## **Overcoming Challenges**
- Ricciardo reflects on the mental and emotional challenges he faced during a difficult period in his career.
- He emphasizes the importance of learning from setbacks, maintaining a positive mindset, and focusing on long-term goals.
## **Keeping Up with Technology**
- Simon Rennie discusses the constant evolution of technology in Formula One and the need for engineers to stay updated with new developments.
- He highlights the importance of understanding new technologies to maintain competitiveness and gain an advantage.
## **Managing Emotions During Races**
- Ricciardo and Rennie discuss strategies for managing emotions during races, especially when faced with setbacks or bad luck.
- They emphasize the need to stay focused, avoid dwelling on negative emotions, and maintain a positive outlook to maximize performance.
## **The Honey Badger**
- Ricciardo explains the origin of his nickname, "The Honey Badger," which was given to him by his trainer, Stuart.
- The nickname reflects Ricciardo's aggressive and determined driving style, contrasting with his friendly and approachable personality.
## **PolySync 20 Challenge**
- The podcast features a challenge where Ricciardo and Rennie attempt to identify four voices of individuals associated with Red Bull Racing.
- They successfully recognize the voices of Adrian Newey, Daniil Kvyat, Helmut Marko, and Sebastian Vettel.
## **Conclusion**
- The podcast concludes with a discussion about the possibility of Ricciardo and Rennie performing a "shoey" celebration, a tradition in Formula One where drivers drink champagne from their racing shoes.
- They express their willingness to do it in the future, acknowledging the significance of the tradition.