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Daniel Ricciardo has asserted that he wants to be recognised as a “race car driver, not an entertainer” amid criticism
After being dropped by McLaren last season, Ricciardo returned to Formula 1 midway through this year when Nyck de Vries was axed by AlphaTauri. However, his comeback was cut short by a broken hand injury sustained in a practice crash in August. Ahead of his return at the United States Grand Prix, former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve criticized Ricciardo’s outgoing personality, questioning if his focus was on racing or commercial endorsements. Ricciardo dismissed the suggestion that his persona has affected his driving ability but acknowledged that his time away gave him a chance to refocus on racing. Despite a challenging race in his comeback, Ricciardo is determined to prove himself as a race car driver and not just an entertainer. He aims to return to the Red Bull seat, and his contract with AlphaTauri for next season has already been confirmed.
Source: Motorsport Week
