Ricciardo is now at home on his family farm in Western Australia after the F1 season was put on hold by the coronavirus just 48 hours before the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne last month.

But after 10 years on the Grand Prix circuit and soon to be 31, Ricciardo says he still intends to win a championship before quitting despite last year's disappointing run with Renault.

"Since I was young, I was a competitor," he told Rolling Stone magazine. "I hated losing. I guess I got here because I love competition and I believe in myself, that I can beat the best in the world.

"I’m just trying to prove that to myself really, and ultimately a world title will give me that proof. As long as I’m fit and healthy, I’ll keep doing it until I get it. That’s what I’m after."

He added: "I feel as far as I’m evolving as a driver and a person that, if I was in a fight for the world title today, I think I have all the attributes and composure to handle the pressure."

But getting some of his rivals to join him in his trademark celebration – drinking champagne on the podium from his sweaty raceboot – looks like a challenge that might be beyond even him.

He's managed to persuade Star Trek's Sir Patrick Stewart and actor Gerard Butler to join him in swigging from his shoe, but rival drivers have been less willing.

But he reckons Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel will never take part.

"As far as drivers go, Lewis... he seems to be the most precious of them all," said Ricciardo. “I think both of them, they seem like very hygienic people."

The shoey is just part of Ricciardo's mission to bring a more relaxed vibe to the sport, with his often outrageous sense of humour revealed in the Netflix behind the scenes F1 documentary series Drive To Survive.

"That’s me, that’s who I am. I watched my episodes first," admitted the Aussie. "Just to make sure I’m not portrayed as an arsehole!

"Flicking through Netflix and seeing yourself on TV, it’s still quite funny. It’s quite surreal."

He added: "I wasn’t aware going into F1 it was so business-like and formal and strict, it felt very stiff to me, it wasn’t my personality.

"Once I started to get more comfortable in my sport and its surroundings I thought, let’s try make this place a fun place.

"I didn’t think the shoey would be a success. I thought, everyone is going to look at me like I’m some sort of sicko.

"I feel like I relaxed a lot of the shoulders in the sport."