Arguably nobody in the Formula 1 paddo𒀰ck ha𝔉d 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 seas🧸on before returning full-time with AlphaTauri, and is now coming🌸 back again after an injury.

During his time away he acted as Red Bull’s third driver, carrying out marꦰketing activity in the USA, aꦗ smart use of his growing fame.

Ricciardꦐo 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 and h🌞aving fun with the sport, got bigger because of that. It draws a few LOLs! 

“Fi𓂃rst and foremost I see myself as a racing car driver, not an entertainer! 

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

“We have all built a brand 𒁏but it doesn’t take away from the rac🦋ing. 

“It can get away from you - me coming back in this year, and having time off, iꦕt help✃ed me figure out what I’m about. 

“I want to go racing. I removed a few 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 sp🎶oken about as retaining a full-time seat forꦫ 2024.

Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda have since been ✨confirmed for AlphaTauri next year.

“Liam did a great job for s🐻ure,” Ricciardo said. 

“In terms of him currently not having a seat next year? He’s young. It🃏’s noꦆt like he’s at the end of his career. 

“Keep your head down, he did well to create an opportunity for himself, if he kee🔯ps on that course his time will come. 

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