Daniel Ricciardo has revealed off-track matters and the death of Jules Bianchi led to a re-shaping of his life during 2015.
The Australian endured a tough second season at Red Bull with the team falling behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Williams in the pecking order, indeed, he would be beaten by then-teammate Daniil Kvyat over the season too and finished a lowly eighth in the Drivers’ Championship.
A close friend of Bianchi, Ricciardo recalled the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2015, a race that took place just days after the Frenchman died from the injuries sustained in the crash at Suzuka the previous year.
“A lot happened in 2015, more on a personal level, with life,” he said to Autosport.
“Jules’ passing affected me more than I ever would have thought and I had a few other things going on in my life at that time that in a way shaped me into this next version of who I am.
“The first race back was Budapest and that was my first podium that year, a double podium for the team, and I remember the whole weekend was very emotional.
“To get a podium there felt massive, it was a huge relief and a moment of gratitude.
“That was really important. In 2015, that was a really big high to come off such a low.”
Fast forward three years and 2018 has been another year where Ricciardo has had to take stock with his future to decide and another tough year with Red Bull with two early wins overshadowed by eight retirements.
“I thought 2015 was challenging, on and off-track, but this year the on-track stuff’s been more challenging than ever,” the 29-year-old, who will join Renault next year, stated.
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“Also just other things, a lot of people have been trying to help, [I’ve been] just trying to figure out who is really trying to help and who is not. There’s just been a lot of other stuff.
“I know in the long-term, and my good friends around me tell me this, it’s all part of the story and it’s going to shape a beautiful ending one day.
“It sucks for the time being, but I believe that.”