Formula One was just cool. I loved racing, all types of racing

"Formula One was just cool. I loved racing, all types of racing, but from a young age, Formula One was the noise and everything, and that's what I was drawn to. I already knew when I was younger, the coolest guys are in F1... not that NASCAR drivers aren't cool, but that was always what I had in my head!" These words, spoken by Daniel Ricciardo, reflect the powerful allure of Formula One (F1) and the intense passion that drives some to pursue greatness in a field that calls not only for skill and precision but also for a connection to something much larger than oneself. Ricciardo speaks to a universal truth: that certain pursuits, whether they be in sport, art, or life, carry with them an undeniable sense of coolness, an energy and attraction that sparks the imagination and drives individuals to dedicate themselves wholly to them. It was not just the noise of the F1 cars, but the energy and the aura of greatness that Ricciardo felt drawn to from a young age. This was a world that captured his imagination, where he saw the heroes—the ones whose efforts transcended the ordinary and stood as symbols of mastery.

In the ancient world, such feelings of attraction to a higher realm were not unfamiliar. The heroes of myth—Heracles, Achilles, and Theseus—were not only admired for their strength but for the aura of greatness that surrounded them. Achilles, in particular, represented the idea that heroism is not just about physical ability but about the way one carries oneself and faces challenges. Like Ricciardo, the young Achilles was drawn to the glory of battle, not just because of the thrill but because of the prestige and admiration it commanded. To be a hero, to be part of something grand, was to be part of an elite circle, one where the greatest minds and greatest talents converged. This is the allure that Formula One has for Ricciardo, and it mirrors the heroic worlds of the ancients where the coolest and most admirable were those who dared to venture into the realm of excellence.

In the same vein, we can draw parallels to the world of Greek Olympians. Just as young athletes aspired to compete in the Olympic Games, which were seen not only as the highest form of competition but a path to immortality, so too does Formula One present a world that represents the pinnacle of human achievement. The sound of an F1 engine, the speed of the cars, and the precision of the drivers are more than just physical acts—they are expressions of perfection and dedication. Much like the great chariot races of the ancient Roman Empire, which symbolized not just physical strength but a mastery over both man and machine, Formula One carries with it a similar air of awe and admiration. It is a world where only the most dedicated, the most skilled, and the most focused can truly shine.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, whose youthful ambition and drive for greatness led him to become one of the most legendary conquerors in history. From an early age, Alexander was taught not just the art of warfare, but the sense of destiny and mastery over his environment. He was taught that he was meant for greatness, that he belonged to a select group destined to leave a mark on the world. Just as Ricciardo was drawn to the world of F1, Alexander was drawn to the world of conquest—an arena where only the greatest dared to enter, where every victory meant not just survival, but eternal glory. This sense of coolness in the pursuit of greatness drives individuals to push beyond their limits, to join the ranks of those who are remembered throughout history.

What Ricciardo’s words also reveal is the importance of inspiration—how, from a young age, we are often drawn to something greater than ourselves, to a vision of what could be. The ancients believed in the concept of visionary leadership, where great leaders inspired others by embodying the qualities they aspired to—bravery, wisdom, and honor. Pericles, the leader of Athens during its Golden Age, inspired his people not only through his political acumen but by the way he embodied the values of the city. He led by example, showing that true greatness was about striving for excellence, whether in war, art, or philosophy. Ricciardo, in his early passion for Formula One, was similarly drawn to a world that embodied excellence, and through his pursuit, he became part of that world, a symbol of the excellence he once admired.

The lesson in Ricciardo’s words is about the importance of pursuing one's passion and being drawn to something that resonates deeply with who we are. Just as Achilles was driven by his desire for glory, and Alexander by his thirst for conquest, so too must we follow the path that calls us, that ignites our imagination, and pushes us toward mastery. The pursuit of excellence, whether in sports, art, or leadership, is about more than achieving success—it is about embracing something that inspires us, that makes us feel alive, and that gives us a sense of purpose.

In practical terms, this means that we should find the things that inspire us, the arenas in which we can aspire to greatness. Whether it’s in our careers, passions, or personal lives, we must identify the fields where we can dedicate ourselves to becoming the best. Like Ricciardo on the F1 circuit, we should approach our pursuits with dedication, joy, and a sense of pride, knowing that the coolest and most relevant are not those who stand idle, but those who chase their passions with a fierce commitment to excellence. As we do so, we not only fulfill our own potential but become a source of inspiration for those who look to us as examples of what is possible when one follows the call to greatness.