CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT

Just hours after Daniel Ricciardo landed in Australia, still tender from fighting back from 17th position to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from Valterri Bottas and Canadian rookie Lance Stroll – the 27-year-old Perth local has been given the opportunity to actually drive a real car.

The five-time Grand Prix winner was treated to the luxury of an AU Falcon ute after his mate, Dezza, was forced to ride in the tray and hold down some of the furniture when they ran out of straps.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience” he said.

“I’ve been forced to fuck around with all of these Formula One kits. This is actually the first Geelong-made vehicle I’ve driven”

While admitting that he was contemplating a career-change, Ricciardo was not willing to clarify if he was considering racing Ford Utes at Bathurst early next year.

“I mean, I’ve got a contract with Red Bull… But I’m sure they could come to the party”

“The AU Falcon is a feat of engineering”

The weekend’s Grand Prix win was Ricciardo’s first since he took out the Malaysian Grand Prix in October of 2016 but it was also the one he least expected to occur.

Sebastian Vettel finished fourth in his Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton was fifth after both were handed penalties for intentional collissions, which ultimately allowed Ricciardo to take the race lead and win.