Daniel Ricciardo has revealed the story behind the \u2018Honey Badger\u2019 nickname he took on during his time in Formula 1, explaining that the animal represented his \u201calter ego\u201d whenever he jumped into the cockpit.<\/p>\n
Found across Africa, Southwest Asia and the Indian subcontinent, the honey badger is famous for its aggression, strength and toughness, with skin so thick that it can withstand various stings and bites.<\/p>\n
Speaking in an interview at Ray White\u2019s Connect conference in Australia earlier this month, Ricciardo shared how his relaxed nature off the track, mixed with his hunger to succeed on it, led to the amusing label being adopted.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoney badgers are cuddly and cute, super good-looking,\u201d he began with a laugh. \u201cBut when something takes what\u2019s theirs, they fight back, and I think that was sort of like my alter ego when I got behind the wheel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given his easy-going ways, Ricciardo admitted that he had to work hard on extracting that alter ego, or \u201ckiller instinct\u201d, as his F1 career developed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had a competitor in me since when I was a kid; I was always competitive in everything I did,\u201d he commented. \u201cBut the killer instinct I needed to develop and work on extracting it out of myself. I\u2019m naturally more easy-going.<\/p>\n