Daniel Ricciardo and Simon Rennie: moments, Monaco and motivation

Nicola Hume speaks to Daniel Ricciardo and his former race engineer Simon Rennie all about their favourite memories of working together at Oracle Red Bull Racing. Simon, in his new role as a group leader of simulation engineering, talks about working with Daniel again in the sim and how his confidence picked back up after a tough few years on the grid.

Daniel and Simon share their thoughts on what a great driver and engineer combination should feel like and Daniel discusses what it’s been like to work with Max and Checo, plus the ups and downs of being an F1 driver.

Also, in our 'Oracle Red Bull Racing in 100 Objects' section, they discuss Daniel’s famous 2018 win in Monaco, and the issues with the car that nearly cost him that famous win in the principality. They also answer tons of questions from listeners, plus take on the HP Poly Challenge at the very end.

# 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.