Scarlett Conlon 

F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo: ‘I take around 100 flights a year, so I need stamina’

The Red Bull racer on constant time-zone changes, a low-carb diet and unwinding at music festivals
  
  

Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo: ‘I don’t party a lot.’ Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Sleep

The older I get, the earlier I go to bed. It’s probably down to the constant climate and time-zone changes, but I’m content with seven hours, so 10pm is normal. Weirdly, I’ve performed very well off little sleep, too, so I don’t let it bug me.

Eat

I’ve always had a high-protein diet, but over the last 18 months, I’ve added fats and reduced carbs. I have a sweet tooth and eating carbs seemed to bring that on, so I read about ketosis and started to increase fats, which stopped my cravings. I’ll be sensible for five days a week and then for two days enjoy a hamburger, if I feel like it. Fortunately, I like vegetables, so no one has to force them down my throat.

Work

Being an F1 driver is a crazy job, but not what everyone expects. My year consists of 20% driving and 80% media, marketing and travel. I take around 100 flights a year, so it requires stamina. I always push through sickness; if I woke up with a vomiting bug I would still make it on track. Driving is one of the only sports in the world you can’t practise. Speeds are around 220mph and races are nearly two hours long. Even though a race is on a Sunday, drivers are normally at the track early on Wednesday and leave late on Sunday night.

Family

I’m single with no kids and my family all live back in Perth. I grew closer to my sister when I moved away; when you have one sibling, you take that for granted growing up. Same with my dad – the older you get, the more man-to-man conversations you have. I don’t see my family often enough, but when we do catch up, it’s somewhere new in the world. They get to travel more than they would if I wasn’t doing this sport.

Fun Music is how I unwind. I love going to see bands or DJs at a festival or a dive bar. My taste is pretty diverse. When I’m watching someone perform, I’m in the moment and it’s the only thing I’m thinking about. Because of my schedule and dietary requirements, I don’t party a lot, but when I can let my hair down, I will; I think that’s healthy. I love a weekend in Vegas.

Daniel Ricciardo is the Orlebar Brown clothing ambassador.

 

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