Formula One apart, if there’s one thing on Australian racer Daniel Ricciardo’s mind, it’s Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. “I still remember her in Bride and Prejudice. And, I’ve heard a lot about her American films. She’s really pretty. If I get a chance, I would like to meet her when I’m here for the Grand Prix,” says the 22-year-old, who is a part of the Hispania Team that’ll be competing on the Buddh International Circuit between October 28-30. And, the foodie’s favourite Indian food is “curry”. “Whenever I think of India, I think of curry,” says Ricciardo, who feasted on Indian food at the ITC Maurya, shortly after a prelude to the Indian Grand Prix at Rajpath on Saturday.
Though his girlfriend, whose name he shies away from revealing, will not accompany him for the event, he says she’ll cheer for him on TV. “Like I would not go and spend a day at her office, it’s the same for her. When it comes to drivers, they keep their personal lives private. But some are open about it, like Lewis Hamilton is usually accompanied by Nicole Scherzinger and Jenson Button by his girlfriend,” he says.
A fan of rock music, Ricciardo is looking forward to the Metallica concert in Delhi on October 28. “I’d prefer Metallica to Lady Gaga (who is also performing at the event). I respect the band.” Though he has to be in his team uniform at most events, Ricciardo says when he’s off the circuit, he’s super casual. “I usually roam around in shorts, flip-flops and sometimes even without a tee,” he says. Anticipating a “big welcome” when the Grand Prix starts, he says, “It’ll be a different experience for the crowd, as they’d see such an event for the first time here.”
Who is Ricciardo? Name: Daniel Ricciardo
Age: 22
Date Of Birth: July 1, 1989
Number of F1 races: 6
Team: Hispania Racing Team
Recent wins: British Formula Three (2009), Formula Renault 2.0 WEC (2008).
You can race, too
The official e-game for the Indian Grand Prix, launched recently by Zapak, has drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton as characters, and the Buddh International circuit as the venue. Ibibo.com has also added an F1 car to their already live game, Parking Wars.
The official e-game for the Indian Grand Prix, launched recently by Zapak, has drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton as characters, and the Buddh International circuit as the venue. Ibibo.com has also added an F1 car to their already live game, Parking Wars.
