Book review: Daniel Ricciardo In Pursuit of Greatness by Nate Saunders

Other than taking victory in Monaco, 2018 has been a wretched year for Daniel Ricciardo. Even Abu Dhabi didn’t provide a fairytale podium finish for his Red Bull stint. The cheerful Australian is off to Renault for the next 2 seasons and it’s kind of fitting to review a new photo book by Nate Saunders which documents Danny Ric’s career to date in Formula 1.

“Daniel Ricciardo: In Pursuit of Greatness” is a new publication which contains a beautiful compilation of colour race images of Dan from his early testing with HRT in 2011, Toro Rosso (2012-2013) and promotion to the senior Red Bull team in 2014-2017. The 2018 season doesn’t really feature in this book other than a photo at the back of Ricciardo in race trim at this year’s opening 2018 Australian Grand Prix.

The book is a solid hardcover with heavy weight pages. It is definitely a photo album rather than a biography – it contains mostly double page and full single page colour photos with various driver quotes sprinkled in-between.

This is very much a race by race summary of the highs and lows of Dan’s F1 seasons from 2012 to 2017. The race summaries are short paragraphs and for the most part are narrated in groups of races other than the more memorable victories e.g. Canada 2014. Narration wise, there isn’t any particularly deep insights or driver interviews that you may not have already seen online.

The main attraction is the vibrant colour photography and the hardcover presentation. There is a wide selection of photos with differing moods and action – mostly on track and podium celebrations (shoey celebration included).

While this might make for a nice visual gift, for fans wanting to read the inside story on Dan’s Red Bull career, you won’t find too much real information here – they will definitely have to wait for his official biography.

That said, this is probably the only Daniel Ricciardo book on the market at the moment. The production quality is enough to make it a decent gift for Ricciardo or Red Bull Racing fans.

Wow Factor/Money shot: Double page fish eye lens photography.

Suitable for: Aussie and Red Bull F1 fans.