Cheers Dan: The 2018 End of Season Special

On this very special edition of the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Podcast we say Cheers Dan in our final interview with the Honey Badger. We speak to Max about his 2018 season plus hear from Red Bull Freestyle MTB athlete Matt Jones.

**Summary of the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Podcast Episode:**

1. **Daniel Ricciardo's Farewell:**

- Daniel Ricciardo reflects on his 11-year journey with the Red Bull family, expressing mixed emotions of sadness and gratitude.
- He acknowledges the significance of his time with the team, particularly his rise to a Red Bull Racing seat in 2014.
- Ricciardo highlights his first race in Australia as a defining moment, dispelling doubts about his abilities and setting the tone for a successful debut season.
- He discusses the evolution of his "honey badger" alter ego, symbolizing his fierce determination and fighting spirit on the track.
- Ricciardo recalls challenging moments, including the 2015 season and the heartbreak of losing a race win in Monaco in 2016.
- He emphasizes the importance of resilience and perseverance, viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth.
- In a quickfire round, Ricciardo shares his favorite race, overtake, and highest and lowest moments during his tenure with the team.
- He concludes by expressing gratitude for his time with Red Bull Racing and acknowledging the positive impact it has had on his career.

2. **Max Verstappen's Successful Season:**

- Max Verstappen reflects on his most successful season to date, characterized by 11 podium finishes, including five consecutive podiums to close out the campaign.
- He attributes his success to the improved performance of the car and the team's hard work.
- Verstappen highlights the Austrian Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix as particularly satisfying races.
- He acknowledges the positive influence of his teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, on the team's atmosphere and morale.
- Looking ahead to the 2019 season, Verstappen expresses excitement about the partnership with Honda and the potential for further improvement.

3. **Callum Nicholas, Power Unit Technician:**

- Callum Nicholas, a power unit technician, provides insights into his role at the Red Bull Racing factory.
- He explains his responsibilities in overseeing the build and service of the power unit and its components.
- Nicholas emphasizes the importance of maintaining strict quality control and adhering to service intervals to ensure optimal performance.
- He describes his involvement in the pit stop crew during race weekends, highlighting the teamwork and coordination required for successful pit stops.

4. **Daniel Ricciardo's Top 5 Press Conference Moments:**

- The podcast presents a compilation of Daniel Ricciardo's most memorable press conference moments, showcasing his unique personality and sense of humor.
- These moments include his quirky car care routine, the popular "shoey" celebration, his attempts at various accents, and his optimistic outlook even in challenging situations.

5. **Matt Jones, Red Bull Freestyle MTB Athlete:**

- Red Bull Freestyle MTB athlete Matt Jones shares his experiences as a local boy visiting the Red Bull Racing factory.
- He describes his awe at seeing the iconic Formula 1 cars up close and the progression of the team's liveries over the years.
- Jones discusses his first major Red Bull video project, "Frames of Mind," which involved performing world-first tricks in the woods near the factory.
- He explains how his mind constantly visualizes riding opportunities in various environments, including the factory.
- Jones provides an update on his upcoming plans for the 2019 season, focusing on the Crankworx contest series and developing new tricks. # Podcast Episode Summary: Daniel Ricciardo's Farewell to Red Bull Racing

**Introduction**

- Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian Formula One driver, recently departed from Red Bull Racing, a team he had been a part of for five seasons.
- In this special podcast episode, Ricciardo reflects on his time with Red Bull, his relationship with his teammates, and his future plans.

**Key Points**

- **Team Camaraderie:** Ricciardo emphasizes the importance of camaraderie within a Formula One team, especially during challenging times. He credits the strong bond he shared with his teammates and crew for helping him overcome difficult moments.

- **Leaving the Team:** Ricciardo expresses mixed emotions about leaving Red Bull Racing. While he is proud of his accomplishments with the team, he acknowledges the emotional toll of parting ways with the people he has worked closely with for years.

- **Relationship with Max Verstappen:** Ricciardo discusses his relationship with his former teammate, Max Verstappen. He admits that their contrasting personalities and strong self-belief initially posed challenges, but they managed to maintain a respectful and competitive relationship.

- **Future Plans:** Ricciardo remains uncertain about his future in Formula One. He mentions that he has not yet received any leaving presents from his teammates, but he is open to receiving one from Verstappen.

- **Farewell Speech:** Ricciardo delivers a heartfelt farewell speech, expressing his gratitude to Red Bull Racing for their support throughout his career. He acknowledges the unique opportunities and experiences he has gained with the team and appreciates the freedom they granted him to express himself.

**Conclusion**

- The podcast episode provides an intimate look into Daniel Ricciardo's emotions and reflections as he leaves Red Bull Racing. He highlights the significance of teamwork, camaraderie, and the bittersweet nature of parting ways with a team that has been a significant part of his life.