Daniel Ricciardo believes a repeat of his Renault tattoo bet will be off-limits at McLaren, but has set his sights on a wager surrounding Zak Brown’s classic car collection.
Seven-time grand prix winner Ricciardo has joined McLaren on a three-year contract ahead of the 2021 season following a two-year stint at Renault.
When Ricciardo signed for Renault, he agreed with team principal Cyril Abiteboul to get matching tattoos when he scored his first podium, which was achieved at last year’s Eifel Grand Prix.
Ricciardo had hoped to meet up with Abiteboul before the end of last year to get the tattoos, but revealed on Monday that they are still yet to do so.
“You will definitely know when I get done with Cyril,” Ricciardo said.
“Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened yet. But it will, it will. And we certainly left on the terms that there was still some unfinished business, that business being the tattoo.
“I hope it does happen. Obviously sooner rather than later, but it definitely will.”
“Actually, we were only a couple of hours ago having some lunch with Zak and he mentioned something about him hating needles, so I can’t see the tattoo thing happening with Zak but we’ll think of something else.
“I know he has got a pretty good car collection so maybe we can just bet one of those cars or something.”
Ricciardo is now part of the fifth Formula One team of his career and his third in four years as he continues his so far elusive hunt for a world championship.
McLaren are not expected to mount a serious challenge this season despite switching to Mercedes power units, but when the new rule changes arrive in 12 months Ricciardo believes they will be in the best position to take advantage of them at the front of the field.
“We don’t have a crystal ball, leaving Red Bull and leaving Renault, it’s what I feel is right. Do I know 100 per cent how it is going to turn out? No, I don’t,” Ricciardo said.
“But I certainly feel like McLaren have done the right things, particularly the last few years to set themselves up for these rules changes coming up in 2022.
“The next era of F1 has the ability to turn the field around a little bit and everything I have seen … up until now really excites me about where McLaren is heading.
“They are doing what it takes to now be a real contender in the championship.
“I see (Ayrton) Senna’s car downstairs and it’s wild, it’s wild to see it and be a part of it.”
