‘The biggest moment of my career’ - Ricciardo reflects on F1 Monza win

Ricciardo claimed McLaren’s first F1 grand prix victory since 2012 at Monza ahead of teammate Lando Norris.

Remarkably, it was the only time in 2021 that a team scored a 1-2 finish with Mercedes and Red Bull failing to do so.

Monza aside, Ricciardo struggled to adapt to McLaren’s MCL35M, languishing well behind his teammate for much of the season.

Reflecting on his first win with the team, Ricciardo said: “The more time that passes since Monza the more I realize the effect of that. I really do think it was the biggest moment, win, race, kind of day if you will of my motorsport career.”

Explaining further as to why Monza was such a ‘proud’ moment for the Australian, he added: “I have to go with Monza. But that’s not just because I won the race. It’s more the fact that I’m sure 99 per cent of people would have not put me down to win a race this year, so that’s why I’m most proud of that moment; I found a way to overcome some of the lows and make the most of the opportunity when it came.”

Ricciardo rated his 2021 season as a “six out of 10” after finishing eighth in the drivers' championship.

“For me, some of the low days this year weren’t for a lack of trying, so in a way, I don’t regret anything either,” he explained. “I don’t feel like I could have tried any harder. If I felt like I hadn’t given it my all then maybe I would have some regrets, but I don’t. So yeah, no regrets, just memories – those words were my first tattoo, actually.

“The second half of 2018 had its challenges… but this year as a whole, yes, absolutely: thinking about the first half and then the highs, it’s been pretty wild. I certainly reflect on the second half of the season much better than where I was reflecting back in August.”