A🧸rguably nobody in the Formula 1 paddock had their fame enhanced by ‘Drive To Survive’ as much as the popular Aussie driver.

He then lost his McLaren drive, missed the start of this season before returning full-time with AlphaTauri, and is now coming back again after an𝕴 injury.

During his time away he acted as Red Bull’s third driver, carrying out marketing act💯ivity in the USA, a smart use of his growing fame.

Ric𒈔ciardo was asked about his off-track popularity at the F1 United States Grand Prix: “All of our profiles have grown in the past few years since Drive To Survive, we’ve all felt a bit of that. 

“Me, with my personality 𒀰and having fun with the sport, got bigಌger because of that. It draws a few LOLs! 

“First and foremost𝔉 I see myseဣlf as a racing car driver, not an entertainer! 

“People come up to me and say ‘you were great in that season!’ I👍 say ‘racing season or DTS season?’ 

“We have all built a brand bu🅺t it doesn’t take away from the racing. 

“It can get away from you - me coming back in this year, and having time off, it helped me figu♈re out what I’m about. 

“I want to go r▨acing. I removed a fꦿew things to go back to basic, to make sure I’m seen as a driver who’s hungry and determined, not just someone who’s here for a good time.”

Liam Lawson deputised for Ricciardo while he recovered from a wrist injury, and performed so admirably that he was briefly spoken about 🍷as retaining a full-time seat for 2024.

𒆙Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda have sinඣce been confirmed for AlphaTauri next year.

“Li🐓am did a great j𝓰ob for sure,” Ricciardo said. 

“In terms of him currently not having a seat next ဣyear? He’s young. It’s not like he’s at t✃he end of his career. 

“Keep your head down, he did well to create an opportunity for himself, if he keeps o🗹n that course his time 𝐆will come. 

“Drivers, we believe in 🍸ourselves so much that we always feel like we’re ready - ‘why isn’t it happening yet’. He’s young, 21, I’m𒐪 sure he’ll find a way onto the grid.”