I've always had a soft spot for merchandise apparel, especially of the Formula 1 variety. Fond memories of spending my Sundays hungover with my dad watching the Grand Prix, while a roast is being cooked, instantly come to mind when I see the T-shirts emblazoned with hundreds of logos. It's kind of the ultimate in what so many people are looking for at the moment; brand recognition. And Red Bull are Kings of the game. They've got the cool, young, interesting team thing on lock, and for good reason.
Red Bull branding is some of the most recognizable in the world, and it just looks good. On the cars, on the merch, on the cans... It doesn't matter where you put it, it looks lit, but the Infiniti Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team aren't just using any old T-shirts, they've been working with Pepe Jeans for a minute, and the collection they've put together for this Formula 1 season is looking better than ever. With this weekend being the British Grand Prix, we thought we'd sit down with the Red Bull drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat, to talk about fashion, photoshoots, and the glamour of F1.
It's not the first time you've posed for a fashion camera, do you feel comfortable?
Daniel Ricciardo: Yes, more comfortable now. Definitely the more times I do it the easier it becomes. It can feel a bit awkward when you have a room full of people looking at you and you're standing in positions that don't feel too natural but the team made me feel relaxed and we had a good laugh, and I think that shows in the final images.
Daniil Kvyat: Yes I do, although sometimes it's quite long for us in these photoshoots and filming days. Even if it might look easy it's not the easiest part of our job, but I still enjoy it.
How much importance do you give to fashion? Do you consider yourself to be a fashionista?
DR: I care about what I wear, I wouldn't say I am massively into fashion but I do enjoy putting on a nice pair of jeans. It is nice to dress up so I think I am a little bit, I would be lying if I said didn't.
Any confessable ritual when you get dressed?
DR: Not really, I am quite slow getting dressed and normally I put some music on, at least it makes it a bit more fun.
Do you follow fashion trends?
DK: I actually see some things in some magazines, and of course you look around, see some shops, you look at your friends and what they are wearing and so on, these kind of things help.
Do you usually go shopping? Does anyone help you in terms of style?
DR: My girlfriend helps me a bit online. Online shopping is a bit easier these days, I don't have much time. If I travel, obviously for racing, and I get there a few days before the race, maybe in Canada, America or Australia, then sometimes I have time to do some shopping.
DK: Yes, I look to go shopping sometimes on my own, or sometimes it can also be a family thing, let's say at Christmas, or it can be with some friends—better with a friend who understands about fashion.
Anyone you really admire in terms of style?
DK: Not really, I think everybody has their own style and it's hard to highlight just one. Everybody has their own taste and it's important to follow it.
Did you ever think you could make it this far?
DR: It's been 16 years since I started racing in karting and I didn't think I would get this far, no. I dreamed about it but I didn't think it would actually happen. Now it all seems real, now that I'm here it makes sense because I look at everything I did and I say 'ok, why not?' I did a good job, so that's where I arrived and it feels natural now.
DK: It's been ten years already for me now, so a long time actually. Many things have happened, particularly in the last year and a half. It's been an incredible uphill journey—big steps have been taken. Sometimes I look back and I think it's quite big, but sometimes there is no time even to think about it so I just look forward and try to do my best.
What's the best advice someone in Formula 1 has ever given you?
DR: I think it's simple and is probably good advice—just in life generally—to be yourself, don't let the environment change who you are. I think just stick in your core values in life and that will help you out.
DK: That you need to count on yourself; in your own performance, in your own talent. There is always room for improvement, there is always someone who is at least as fast as you are out there as well.
Do you think Formula 1 racing is a glamorous business?
DR: There are a lot of sides which aren't glamorous, we spend half our life on an airplane so I don't think that's glamorous. But we have nice events, nice parties, we drive amazingly fast expensive cars, so there is definitely some glamour.
DK: Maybe someone can think it is, maybe it's better to ask the spectator about this, I only know it from the inside. As a driver I don't really think it is a glamorous business, although there are maybe some moments or particular races, like Monaco or Singapore, which can maybe give that impression.
The more success grows, the more visible you are and the more judgment there is. How do you cope with that?
DR: I have Twitter and things like that, I don't post too many personal things, I keep it pretty generic. I don't read too much because it's inevitable someone has a negative opinion and it's better not to see those. I just try to be myself in everything I do.
DK: I came here to race, to enjoy what I am doing, I love racing so every time I go on the track I'm happy. Of course everybody is talking about every moment of your life, you just have to deal with that and remember first of all why you are here. And I always try to remember that I am here because I love what I am doing, and what I love doing is racing—racing is everything for me.
