Daniel Ricciardo will set a new Australian record on Sunday when he lines up for the start of the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver will compete in his 216th race in F1, surpassing the Australian record held by Mark Webber.
Ricciardo has had a memorable career in F1, with eight race wins and 32 podium finishes over 11 years. Webber retired with nine race wins and 42 podium finishes.
From leaving his home in Western Australia at 17 to chase his motorsport dream in Europe, Ricciardo told ABC Sport he was proud to have survived for so long in the cut-throat world of F1.
"I am proud of achieving a number like 216 this weekend because getting into F1 is a struggle in itself but then to stay here for that long, I think, is something I can be proud of," he said.
"I was a very young 17-year-old as well, so making that commitment when I didn't really know if that was 100 per cent sure what I really wanted to do, or could do… was a big deal."
Reflecting on his career ahead of his record-breaking weekend, Ricciardo said his first race win at the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix was still among his proudest moments.
"You chase something for so long and you believe that you can do it, but you really don't know you can do it until you've done it," he said.
"I was proud I was able to execute everything I believed in, so that was a big moment."
But the man widely known as the Honey Badger does not believe his best days are behind him.
The Australian has arguably had some of his greatest struggles since joining McLaren in 2021.
Even in his most trying times, he won the Italian Grand Prix, giving McLaren their first race win in nine years.
At the time he said he had "never left", referencing those who believed he had lost his touch after struggling in his first season at McLaren.
"Not only did I get the podium, I won in Monza after what had been probably my toughest year in Formula 1," he said.
"So if I can do that (win) in a season like that (2021) then podiums are definitely possible.
He now couples that trademark confidence with more than a decade of experience in motorsport's pinnacle class.
He told ABC Sport he still approaches every race the same way but said he drives with more maturity and a level head.
"I definitely believe I can have some amazing performances to come and really that's why I keep doing this, because I still believe I can," Ricciardo said.
"That's the stuff that will keep me in the sport for longer."
Ricciardo goes into Sunday's race 11th in the drivers' standings, with 11 championship points.
He has one top-10 finish in the five races so far this season — coming sixth at the Australian Grand Prix.
In Spain this weekend, Ricciardo will be hoping to equal or better his performance there last season, when he finished sixth and beat his teammate Lando Norris.
