Daniel Ricciardo has revealed that he turned to a psychologist last year amid his struggles with McLaren to deal with the dispiritedness that had extended into his private life.
Ricciardo's move from Renault to McLaren at the start of the 2021 season came with high expectations, but from the outset the Aussie was comprehensively outpaced by teammate Lando Norris and unable to raise his game.
As he struggled to adapt to his new environment, frustration and disappointment set in, followed by a sense of sadness and nonfulfillment that eventually compelled him to seek some outside help.
"Whenever we thought we had found a solution, along would come another set of challenges," he recounted, speaking to the Daily Mail.
"When you put so much into something, and it doesn’t work out there is sadness. It gets to you. Last year it affected me a little bit too much.
©McLaren
"I wouldn’t be my usual bubbly self. I would be reluctant if someone said let’s go out for dinner. I would need some cajoling. I let it get to me.
"I started to speak to a psychologist last year. The most challenging year I have had.
"Racing is very much results driven and dictates your Sunday happiness. I was neglecting friendships and thought it would be good to talk to someone to make sure the two sides of my life didn’t cross over.
"You need perspective. And with the calendar being so long, it was hard to remove yourself from what was happening in the racing."
Ricciardo's three-year contract with McLaren will come to an early end at this month's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a termination that has left him without a drive for 2023 and pondering his future.
"It is fair to say it was unexpected, given I was on a three-year deal that had a year to run," explained the 33-year-old.
"It is not something you can prepare for. But I’d already had some honest discussions with Andreas Seidl and Zak Brown earlier in the year to see what we could do to improve things.
"It was a concern on both sides. I didn’t want to keep coming 14th or 15th. I kept the faith that something would click. But it hadn’t happened by mid-season and they took the decision they did.
"It put me in a tough position of thinking: ‘What next?’"
©Instagram/DanielRicciardo
Although he won't be racing in F1 next year – unless unforeseen circumstances prompt him to return to the fray – Ricciardo is eager to remain involved with a top team, possibly as a reserve drive.
Talks with Mercedes for such a role have allegedly taken place.
"It would be good to get next year sorted before the final race in Abu Dhabi," he said.
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