Daniel Ricciardo: F1 star in Melbourne to break Australian curse

On-the-market Formula One megastar Daniel Ricciardo could be forgiven for having a cocky stride after arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

The 28-year-old is in high demand with F1 bosses as he enters the final year of his multi-million dollar contract, and with the ladies following his split from high school sweetheart Jemma Boskovich.

The Perthian also enters this season as Australia’s best chance of ending a near 40-year drought by becoming the nation’s first world champion since 1980.

Daniel Ricciardo (pictured with Nikki Phillips) is in high demand with both F1 bosses and the ladies after arriving in Melbourne this week for the Australian Grand Prix

On-the-market Ricciardo will head into the season once again without high school sweetheart Jemma Boskovich (pictured) by his side 

On-the-market Ricciardo will head into the season once again without high school sweetheart Jemma Boskovich (pictured) by his side 

The Perthian (pictured with Elyse Knowles) enters this season with a chance of becoming the nation's first world champion since 1980

The Perthian (pictured with Elyse Knowles) enters this season with a chance of becoming the nation’s first world champion since 1980

Ricciardo touched down in Melbourne once again without any signs of a love interest in his private life – something he vigorously protects.

This season is the third he will spend without jewellery designer ex Ms Boskovich by his side, after the pair called it quits on their relationship in early 2016.

Later in the year, Ricciardo confirmed the split with Ms Boskovich – who was his year 12 formal partner.

Ricciardo now says he doesn’t believe in love at first sight but only attraction. 

‘Love takes time. I have probably now outgrown that love at first sight thing. Had you asked me ten years ago I would have said yes,’ he said earlier this year. 

But love will take a backseat for Ricciardo this weekend, as he enters what is widely considered his career-defining season.

Ricciardo is preparing for his title challenge after touching down in Melbourne, once again without any signs of a love interest in his private life - something he vigorously protects (pictured is ex girlfriend Jemma Boskovich)

This season is the third he will spend without jewellery designer ex Ms Boskovich (pictured) by his side, after the pair called it quits on their relationship in early 2016

Ricciardo is preparing for his title challenge after touching down in Melbourne, once again without any signs of a love interest in his private life – something he vigorously protects (pictured is ex girlfriend Jemma Boskovich)

Ricciardo says he doesn't believe in love at first sight but only attraction following his 2016 split from Ms Boskovich 

Ricciardo says he doesn’t believe in love at first sight but only attraction following his 2016 split from Ms Boskovich 

In 2016, Ricciardo confirmed the split with Ms Boskovich (right) - who was his year 12 formal partner

In 2016, Ricciardo confirmed the split with Ms Boskovich (right) – who was his year 12 formal partner

'Love takes time. I have probably now outgrown that love at first sight thing. Had you asked me ten years ago I would have said yes,' Ricciardo (right with cricketer Marcus Stoinis) said earlier this year

‘Love takes time. I have probably now outgrown that love at first sight thing. Had you asked me ten years ago I would have said yes,’ Ricciardo (right with cricketer Marcus Stoinis) said earlier this year

Pre-season testing suggests the Australian is in with his first legitimate chance at competing for a world title.

He is in the second and final year of his current contract with Red Bull, reportedly worth almost $10million a year after bonuses.

But another extension, or better offer with rivals Mercedes or Ferrari, is likely to be tabled during the year if his anticipated title challenge comes to fruition.

It’s understood Ricciardo has held off signing another lucrative, multi-million dollar contract with Red Bull, who want him to stay and will resume negotiations in April.

After four seasons of dominating the sport, engine regulation changes in 2014 resulted in Red Bull slipping away from contention just as Ricciardo replaced countryman Mark Webber at the team.

Love will take a backseat for Ricciardo (pictured with Jennifer Hawkins) this weekend, as he enters what is widely considered his career-defining season

Love will take a backseat for Ricciardo (pictured with Jennifer Hawkins) this weekend, as he enters what is widely considered his career-defining season

Pre-season testing suggests Ricciardo (pictured with Scotty James) is in with his first legitimate chance at competing for a world title, and in a season where he is coming off contract and is free to explore his options

Pre-season testing suggests Ricciardo (pictured with Scotty James) is in with his first legitimate chance at competing for a world title, and in a season where he is coming off contract and is free to explore his options

Ricciardo pictured with his father at the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide 

Ricciardo pictured with his father at the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide 

Another four years of steady improvement though has forced Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to admit this week that Ricciardo and Red Bull will challenge this year.

‘[It’s] a three-way fight between us, Ferrari and Red Bull,’ Mr Wolff told the BBC.  

The timing is right for Ricciardo, who is in the prime of his career and a realistic chance of becoming Australia’s first world champion since Alan Jones in 1980. 

The late Sir Jack Brabham is the only other Australian to win a F1 world title, after victories in 1959, 1960 and 1966.   

Only Ricciardo’s former mentor Webber came close for Australia in 2010, until he retired from the sport in 2013 amid ongoing tension within his team, particularly with Sebastian Vettel.

Some pundits predict similar tension may grow between Ricciardo and his own teammate, 20-year-old protege-turned-pro Max Verstappen, who is also tipped to challenge this year. 

Ricciardo (left) is in the second and final year of his current contract with Red Bull, reportedly worth almost $10million a year after bonuses

Ricciardo (left) is in the second and final year of his current contract with Red Bull, reportedly worth almost $10million a year after bonuses

Four years of steady improvement has seen Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admit this week that Ricciardo and Red Bull will challenge this year

Four years of steady improvement has seen Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admit this week that Ricciardo and Red Bull will challenge this year

The timing is right for Ricciardo, who is in the prime of his career and a realistic chance of becoming Australia's first world champion since Alan Jones in 1980

The timing is right for Ricciardo, who is in the prime of his career and a realistic chance of becoming Australia’s first world champion since Alan Jones in 1980

'I always feel I have something to prove. People forget quickly as well,' Ricciardo said this weekend

‘I always feel I have something to prove. People forget quickly as well,’ Ricciardo said this weekend

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‘There’s obviously a lot of talk about the young guys coming up, there’s my teammate Max,’ Ricciardo told Fox Sports this week.

‘I always feel I have something to prove. People forget quickly as well.

‘You always feel you constantly have to remind people so I might just remind these cats and try and get myself in a good position [for a world title].’ 

Ricciardo added that he is ‘excited’ by his title prospects, and hopes to step onto the podium this weekend at Albert Park. 

Ricciardo said he is 'excited' by his title prospects, and hopes to step onto the podium this weekend at Albert Park and partake in a 'shoey' - a phenomenon he introduced to the sport which involves drinking champagne out of sweaty racing boots

Ricciardo said he is ‘excited’ by his title prospects, and hopes to step onto the podium this weekend at Albert Park and partake in a ‘shoey’ – a phenomenon he introduced to the sport which involves drinking champagne out of sweaty racing boots

He has persuaded Patrick Stewart, Gerard Butler and Mark Webber to drink from his boot in the past

He has persuaded Patrick Stewart, Gerard Butler and Mark Webber to drink from his boot in the past

Although the task was made slightly more difficult on Friday, after he received a three-place grid penalty for speeding under red-flag conditions during practice

Although the task was made slightly more difficult on Friday, after he received a three-place grid penalty for speeding under red-flag conditions during practice

Should he perform on the track, he will likely partake in a ‘shoey’ – a phenomenon he introduced to the sport which involves drinking champagne out of sweaty racing boots.

He has persuaded Patrick Stewart, Gerard Butler and Mark Webber to drink from his boot in the past. 

Although the task was made slightly more difficult on Friday, after he received a three-place grid penalty for speeding under red-flag conditions during practice. 

He will take to the track again this afternoon for a one-hour practice session, before qualifying at 5pm AEDT. 



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