Few can claim to be “celebrities” in the Formula 1 racing world. Daniel Ricciardo is one of those few; accomplished and charming, able to turn heads on the race track or off. The clearest sign of his stardom: in either arena, he’s intriguing.

Known as “The Honey Badger” on the track for his fierce and fearless style, the Italian-Australian can pulse and weave through Grand Prix courses like no other, unafraid of just pummeling through. 

Off the track or “the grid,” as it’s called, he becomes cool, chill, a harbinger of the honey badger’s cute and cuddly facade. He’s all about taking time out for himself to adventure on the open roads or waters. He’s the kind of guy you’d wanna grab a beer with if you’re into that sort of thing. He just has…that vibe. 

What makes Ricciardo a celebrity is his distinct identity as one, and we dive into it with him. We talk about his methods of unwinding when not behind the wheel, taking his talents to the open water, and that dichotomy that makes him who he is.

See the full Q&A with VMAN and Daniel Ricciardo, below.

VMAN: How do you usually prepare before a race? Is your approach to get psyched up or completely chill out? Any specific rituals?

DANIEL RICCIARDO: It depends on the moment before the race. So leading up to it in the morning, I’ll just stay chill. I don’t want to burn any energy that I don’t need to. Just try and stay relaxed, stay calm, not really think too much about the race in the early hours of the day. And then as I get within an hour, 30-minute hour window of the race, then I start to get a little more intense, just with my mindset and stuff. And then on the grid when you’re now 10-15 minutes before the race. I’m listening to music and getting pretty jacked. I also enjoy that feeling, being pumped, kind of gets the adrenaline going.

VM: You’re also partnering up with Sea-Doo to ride an ultra-high-performance edition watercraft. Is that something new for you? How do you think your F1 skills translated to that?

DR: I’ve ridden before, but I’ve never properly owned one, or let’s say, spent as much time as I have recently on them. It’s relatively new. I definitely don’t want to come across as a pro-rider. But the power to weight ratio, the acceleration in these things, I feel a lot in F1. So it’s ultimately like that need for adrenaline, that need for speed. It’s all there. And it’s on the water, so that’s a little different and more foreign for me. But there are a lot of similarities between the vehicles.

VM: When off the race track, what’re your go-to methods of having fun and unwinding?

DR: I’ve always enjoyed doing outdoor things. I grew up on four wheels. So I enjoy doing a few things here and there. But it’s more two-wheels, and now like with the Sea-Doo, it’s really fun for me to be on a vehicle like that. I would say between getting my rush from that or going to see a live show, some music. I enjoy that a lot.

VM: You’ve talked about your love for country music in the past, is it part of your pre-race ritual? What artists/songs are you currently vibing to?

DR: Something like country music could be played an hour and a half before the race, maybe when I start my warm-up and I’m still trying to stay quite chilled and reserved. Love me some country! Of course, I’m gonna leave people out, but there are a lot of artists I like – Zac Brown, Rob Baird, Ryan Bingham, there’s a lot that I’ll listen to. Then closer to the race or on the grid, it will be a little more high energy, whether it’s some punk rock that I used to listen to as a kid, a bit of nostalgic stuff to get me pumped up or some filthy, lyrical hip-hop. Depends on my mood in that moment

VM: How does the Daniel on the race track differ from the one off?

DR: I’ll say I’m very different. On the race track, I’m certainly a competitor. I can get fierce, aggressive, and all the rest of it. Definitely more emotional at times. Off track, I’m pretty laid back. I’m pretty chilled. For sure, there are moments where the competitive side comes out in me in little things, but I’m much more relaxed without the helmet on.

VM: You’re known for your happy-go-lucky nature, but then turn into quite the fierce driver on the track. Is that something you have to mentally steel yourself to become?

DR: I think I had to develop that to a greater extent where naturally the helmet goes on and a competitive instinct takes over. But letting that fully fly, that just took a little bit more time and growth and just being comfortable within myself being that competitor. But it’s always been there. And I enjoy making that switch, because everyone still takes me sometimes a little bit lightly and it’s a nice surprise.

VM: What’re the things that stimulate you when you’re taking a break from racing or you’re in the middle of runs?

DR: It’s really being out in nature. I love anything outdoors. I grew up very close to the sea, but I was always more of a land person, riding bikes and things like that. But I think the older I’ve gotten, and [with] moving to Monaco, I’m certainly getting a little more curious about the sea. I surfed for the first time only a few years ago. Ultimately, it’s things that are outdoors and getting out in the wild or now on the ocean.

VM: After a race, depending on how it goes, what do you do to recenter yourself? Are there any specific tricks you have or go-to practices?

DR: Immediately after the race is just [about] analyzing it, the good or the bad. I want to get to a point where I’m at peace with it. Especially after a bad race, it can easily linger on into that night, the next day. So I try to close the book Sunday night so I can just switch off, maybe go enjoy dinner with friends or my team, and then wake up Monday morning fresh, re-energized, and ready to attack the next one.