Daniel Ricciardo has expressed disapproval over the content Formula 1 has shared on social media regarding crashes, stating the sport can “do better”.
The Australian referenced a ‘top ten moments’ video that F1 uploaded to social channels last year, communicating concern over how many of the selected clips were crashes.
“I think last year, F1 put on their social channels, like, ‘top 10 moments of the year’ or something, and eight of the ten were crashes,” Ricciardo said. “I was just like, ‘you guys are f**king idiots’.
“Maybe 12-year-old kids want to see that kind of content, and that’s cool because they don’t know any better, but we’re not kids. Just do better, guys. Do better than that.”
Following last year’s Bahrain Grand Prix, in which ex-Haas driver Romain Grosjean suffered a major crash, Ricciardo hit out at the “disgusting” replays that were broadcast during the following red flag period.
The 31-year-old also questioned production decisions regarding Netflix’s successful Drive To Survive docuseries that follows F1.
Ricciardo says that during the second series, which covered the 2019 F1 season, the show created a faux rivalry between himself and Carlos Sainz.
“I mean the second season, there were some episodes or parts where I feel they forced it a little bit,” Ricciardo said.
“They tried to create a bit of a rivalry between me and Sainz and it wasn’t really there. Like, he’s no more a rival than anyone else.
“There wasn’t any personal grudge with him, but I think [Netflix] wanted something, so a lot of questions led with asking about Carlos.
“Maybe no one noticed, but for me, I was like, he’s fine. I’ve probably got other guys that I dislike, you know, as opposed to Carlos… I mean, he dresses like a 60-year-old, but otherwise he’s alright.”
However, Ricciardo admitted the Netflix show has been a benefit to the sport, having witnessed social media numbers going “nuts” after its release.
“I think the first season of Drive To Survive was awesome,” Ricciardo said. “I spend some time in the States, and I noticed it literally from one trip to the next.
“It was the first time I started being recognised and people referencing that TV series. So it certainly did us wonders, even – not to talk social media – but numbers on social media went nuts. It did a lot for us and the sport.”
Ricciardo has really gotten soft over the years.