F1 fans go wild for Aussie star Daniel Ricciardo’s cheeky hand gesture to rival just before overtaking him during amazing run to finish seventh at the Mexican Grand Prix
Daniel Ricciardo has delighted Formula One fans by proving he’s got his swagger back with a cheeky gesture as he staged a series of stunning overtakes at the Mexico Grand Prix.
The Honey Badger showed vintage form at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to surge from as far back as 13th in the field to finish seventh overall, despite copping a 10-second penalty for a dangerous overtake.
It was one of the Aussie’s best results of the season and was built on a crazy second half of the race that saw Ricciardo overtake his rivals with ease – even finishing ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed one key thing that Ricciardo was doing as he stormed around the Mexican track that showed he has his groove back.
Moments before he passed a rival, he would make a gun shape with his fingers and point it at them.
Fans picked up on the finger gun action that Ricciardo was using as he prepared to overtake his rivals at the Mexico Grand Prix
It was an electric driver from Ricciardo who wound back the clock and showed some of his best form, while he still remains without a team for the 2023 season
‘Daniel Ricciardo fired a finger gun at Esteban Ocon right before overtaking him in Mexico,’ the ESPN Twitter account posted.
The Australian was named Driver of the Day for his efforts and won back the support of many fans.
But it came after Ricciardo was issued a 10-second penalty for colliding with Yuki Tsunoda in an incident that ended the Japanese driver’s race.
That seemed to light a fire under Ricciardo who was near unstoppable after that.
‘It has really fired him up, fired him up in a treat,’ Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle said.
‘He’s a candidate for driver of the day with all the overtaking he’s doing. He’s so charged up.’
‘Welcome back Daniel, we missed you,’ commentator David Croft said.
‘He’s driven with fire in the belly. Completely different to the United States just a week ago.’
Ricciardo remains without a team for 2023 and he remains steadfast that he will not be driving next season.
‘I can confidently saw I won’t be on the grid behind a wheel,’ Ricciardo said.
Ricciardo poses for a photo during the Formula 1 Grand Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2022, Mexican Grand Prix
‘I want to be in the sport working with a team with the ambition of driving in 2024. That’s where my head is at, I think time away from a race seat will do me good and rebuild on something for 2024.
‘So next year will look a bit different.
‘There is no doubt the last two years have been hard. When you put a lot in and it doesn’t come back, it’s hard.
‘I know the value of a break, stepping away gives you perspective. This will be a blessing in disguise.
‘By doing less I will achieve more.’
