Ricciardo arrives at COTA as only Ricciardo can

Daniel Ricciardo arrived at the Circuit of the Americas in all-American style for the Austin Grand Prix. McLaren showed on Twitter show how the Australian entered the circuit, in a way only he can.

We know by now that Ricciardo is a fan of America. The good-humoured Australian regularly puts on an exaggerated American accent when giving interviews in Texas, and it is also not unusual to see him wearing a cowboy hat. But this time, Ricciardo outdid even himself.

Footage from McLaren shows Ricciardo driving in full cowboy outfit with a jacket patterned with the American flag. Driving indeed. Only not in a car this time, but on a horse. Flanked by a guitarist - also in cowboy attire, of course - who accompanies Ricciardo with appropriate country music. Ricciardo even made his beard a little more American for the occasion.

For Ricciardo, this may be the last time he drives a Formula One race in America. He will be replaced at McLaren next year by Oscar Piastri, and recently Ricciardo announced he will not drive in Formula 1 next year so he can focus on a return in 2024. How likely that return is remains to be seen.