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Daniel Ricciardo says that he "never really meant" the comments he made after a frustrating Mexican Grand Prix. The Australian was in contention for his first podium finish since his victory in Monaco earlier this year before a clutch issue forced him to pull over and retire.
The Red Bull driver was left disgruntled by the issues and told media after the race that he's "fed up" with his "cursed" car. He also added that Pierre Gasly, who will take his seat in 2019, could drive the RB14 at the remaining two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
But now the 28-year-old has clarified the situation, explaining that the statement was made out of pure emotion: “Even when I said it, I know I’m saying it in an emotional state, deep down I don’t really mean it,” he asserted.
"I didn’t read any media that week but I believe some people actually thought I might not come. So I thought it was good – probably good for the mechanics as well to make sure they know what seat to put into the car – just to kind of let everyone know. I didn’t do anything after the race or anything like that so [it was] just to let everyone know I was doing OK.”
Ricciardo added that he’s endured the short end of the stick regarding Red Bull’s technical problems since the middle of last year: “I look last year, the first six months Max [Verstappen] seemed to have most of it if not all of it and then the last six months I seemed to have most or all of it. Last year in a way it was spread out between the both of us.
“This year certainly it’s been more me. I mean Max had the failure in Budapest I remember and maybe somewhere else but it’s still been a lot more top-heavy for me this year. But I don’t really have any explanation. It’s just, I think it sounds really simple and kind of silly, but bad luck is the best phrase I can use and best term.
"All the team still like me, no one’s got it in for me, it’s just been the way it’s worked this wary. I’ll keep trying. I know Sunday afternoons I’m pretty pissed and animated but honestly I wake up Monday and I’m ready to go again. It doesn’t last too long.”
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C. Sainz jr
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