Truth behind Daniel Ricciardo’s live mic smear

07/15/2021

Daniel Ricciardo has clarified suggestions he smeared Formula 1’s new car of the future during its official unveiling on Friday morning.

The Aussie star was front and centre as Formula 1 showed off the revolutionary car during a media event ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

It is hoped the car, which will be used from the start of the 2022 season, will improve racing as the sport heads into a new era.

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It first appeared Ricciardo had been accidentally caught by a live microphone sledging the look of the new car when speaking with fellow drivers at the event which was filmed for a live TV audience.

“Yeah, no it’s terrible. It’s s***, it’s worse,” Ricciardo was heard saying during the event.

F1 fans reacted to the statement assuming Ricciardo was taking a shot at the prototype car he will drive next year — but he has now clarified that his remarks are not what they first seemed.

Related: Red Bull boss details ‘sad’ Daniel Ricciardo confession

Official images released by Formula 1 during the unveiling of the 2022 car. Photo: 2021 Formula One World Championship LimitedSource:Supplied

It comes after he had made jokes about the car when interviewed earlier in the broadcast.

“I like the rear of it,” he said.

“The rear looks pretty old school, it reminds me of 2008, with that style, which is cool. The front is very different, but like all things, the more you stare at it, the more normal it will start to look.”

When speaking to reporters after the event, Ricciardo insisted he was not speaking about the car when his voice was picked up on the TV broadcast.

He even said he was interested to remember what he was talking about at the time.

“I was probably talking about something else because to be honest we were talking about quite a few things,” the 32-year-old said.

Daniel Ricciardo wasn’t taking a swipe at Formula 1’s future.Source:Getty Images

“To be honest I do not recall saying anything like that because I actually thought it was pretty cool. I wouldn’t have been that aggressive to it, maybe it was the paint scheme, but I wouldn’t have said that about it [the car].

“I’m actually curious now. Was I standing next to Lando? I don’t swear around Lando because he is still quite young. You have got me there.

“I will clarify that I definitely didn’t think it was s***. I was actually quite okay with it and I think I mentioned something about liking the rear. Anyway there is no negativity around the new car here.”

Formula 1 proudly trumpeted predictions the car’s simplified aerodynamics and bigger wheels will encourage more over-taking and closer competition.

“There is huge excitement ahead of this new era, and while 2021 has been a great battle we still have cars struggling to follow each other during the race,” Ross Brawn, managing director of motorsport at Formula 1 said.

“The regulations for 2022 will address this problem and create an opportunity for closer battles and more wheel-to-wheel racing. The combined effect of the new aerodynamic regulations and financial rules, in the form of the cost cap, will create the conditions for a more balanced championship and for the gaps across the grid to close.”

A major scare was earlier sent through the McLaren team after it was confirmed CEO Zak Brown has tested positive to Covid-19 on the eve of the British Grand Prix.

McLaren announced the shock news in a statement on its website.

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