Aussie F1 great Daniel Ricciardo is clearly enjoying his time back in Australia.
The Red Bull reserve driver is soaking in the full Australian Grand Prix experience this year as he doesn’t have to focus on the driving and has been front and centre promoting the event.
Watch the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2023 Live and ad-break free in racing on Kayo Sports this Sunday April 2 3:00PM AEDT. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
In the past, Ricciardo has been everywhere but has been left exhausted after his publicity requirements as well as his driving responsibilities over the weekend.
But without a seat, Ricciardo, although he has his reserve driver requirements for Red Bull, he’ll largely be able to enjoy himself through the build up.
Ricciardo, who also has a long association with Optus and has been branded the telecom’s Chief of Optimism, went undercover for Nova breakfast show Fitzy, Wippa and Kate at an Optus store.
The loveable larrikin served customers but had a wire in his ear and had to do what he was told by the radio hosts.
The first set up was a bloke the hosts said was “about six foot five” and “had a bit of a mullet” and a “handlebar moustache”.
Ricciardo was told he wasn’t allowed to say the word phone, and had to say “vroom vroom” instead.
“I’m after a new phone. I cleaned the pool yesterday and it fell in,” the customer said.
“I actually call it a vroom vroom, which is a bit weird but if you’re cool with that we’re going to call it a vroom vroom,” Ricciardo replied.
After showing him a new model, Ricciardo had to get out a much older model.
“So we got this one here. If I’m honest, this is my vroom vroom,” Ricciardo said. “That’s $20 if you want it, cash.
“This one is pretty loaded with some numbers. Also this one is waterproof. Check this out.”
He then dropped it in a glass of water, which fried the phone.
“S**t I might have to give you some rice with this one. That’s probably 10 bucks if you want it,” he added.
An actual Optus staff member then stepped him and took the customer to someone who might be able to help him.
The next customer was moving and Ricciardo started asking him about broadband before it went off the rails.
“Have you heard about our newest broadband?” he said. “It’s super fast. It’s faster than a racecar. I love speed. I love anything really that goes fast like my hair line.
“Are you into games? It’s great for games. Singstar that’s one of my favourites. Have you heard of Singstar? It’s like the karaoke one.
“You know Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls?” he said before belting out the chorus.
But it was all building up to the finale as the show sent in an actor who had to flirty with the F1 star.
Ricciardo was told because Optus was all about saying “Yes”, he had to answer every question that way.
Actor: “I’m just looking for a new phone plan, could you help me with that?”
Ricciardo: “Yes.”
Actor: “You look really familiar.”
Ricciardo: “Yes.”
Actor: “Are you … are you Daniel Ricciardo?”
Ricciardo: “Yes.”
Actor: “You are? Shut up. Shut up!
Ricciardo: “Yes.”
Actor: “What are you doing working here?”
Ricciardo: “Oh … yes.”
Actor: “Can we take a selfie?”
Ricciardo: “Not like this!”
Actor: “You smell good.”
Ricciardo: “Yes.”
Actor: ”Do you think you’re actually the best driver for Red Bull?”
Ricciardo: “Yes. Yes — what’s Red Bull?”
Actor: “Very funny. I reckon you’re a really good kisser … ”
Ricciardo: “Really? Yes.”
Actor: “You are?”
Ricciardo: “Yes.”
Actor: “Should we like … test that theory sometime? Gimme your number or …”
Ricciardo: “Yes, no.”
But as much as Ricciardo was enjoying himself dodging her advances, she revealed she was a plant to end the hilarious segment.
It’s great to see Ricciardo back in Australia and enjoying himself.
It’s a far cry from Ricciardo’s 2019 visit when he had a nightmare start to his time at Renault when he drifted onto the grass and wrote himself off.
But the Aussie revealed after the race he was feeling “flat” and “drained” having been at the forefront of the publicity for the event.
“I’m just drained,” he said. “I try to please everyone this week and I don’t look after myself so we’ll change it for next year, yep.”
The next two years Covid kept F1 away from Australia and he returned last year for a sixth placed finish with McLaren, which was arguably his best performance in a dire 2022 which ended with his sacking for Oscar Piastri.
