Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo is well known for his antics as a hustler, but what happens when the script turns against him?
The Red Bull reserve driver was back in Australia for the Melbourne Grand Prix on Sunday and took some time with the Nova crew of Fitzy, Wippa and Kate Ritchie to prank some unsuspecting locals.
Looking ridiculous with Coca-Cola bottle mugs, a fake mustache and slick hair, the head of Optus optimism took a job at a retail store selling customers phones and internet plans.
Through an earphone, Nova’s chatty trio were giving instructions as to what he had to say.
Little did he know, however, that the tide was about to turn dramatically.
Ricardo reveals his funny appearance to prank unsuspecting Optus customers in Melbourne
It started innocently enough, with a young man walking into the store looking for a new smartphone after dropping it in the pool.
‘I actually call it Vroom Vroom, which is weird,’ replied Ricciardo, ‘but if you’re cool with that, we’ll call it Vroom Vroom.’
As the stunned customer stared at the Formula 1 star, Ricciardo then reached into a bag at his feet and pulled out a smartphone.
“This is the latest from Vroom, but it makes calls, are you a fan of texting?” Asked.
The customer replied, “Yeah, I’m texting a bit.”
“Are you a fortune teller too?” asked Riccardo, referring to dating apps like Tinder.
The customer replied, “Not at the moment, I’m completely locked up.”
‘You’re a good-looking guy,’ said Ricciardo, ‘you have to restrain yourself, I think.
A customer seems less than impressed with the screen of damaging an old phone by submerging it in water, even if it is reduced to a lower price.
Ricciardo shows the old phone and then dips it in a glass of water to prove it’s “waterproof”.
The customer managed to nod and smile politely, but Riccardo was losing it and laughing behind his hand before continuing the joke.
Then he bought an older model phone and said, “This is my VroomVroom, that’s $20 if you want it.”
“It’s waterproof, check this out,” added Ricciardo, before dipping it into a glass of water and completely destroying it.
I might have to give you some rice with that.
That was enough for this customer, who politely escorted him away to see a real salesperson.
The next customer in line was looking for some high speed internet and Ricardo had to give a classic rant that involved singing the lyrics to the classic Goo Goo Dolls song.
“I’m Jesse, how can I help you? Have you heard about our latest broadband? It’s so fast. It’s faster than a race car. I love speed. I love anything that goes as fast as my hairline. That’s really something I enjoy doing,” Ricciardo said because the customer Confused he could barely get a word out.
This Optus customer had no clue he was going to be sung by Daniel Ricciardo when he walked into the store to upgrade his broadband
Then came the singing.
Are you a fan of games? It’s great for gaming. Singstar is one of my favourites. Have you heard of Singstar, it’s like karaoke. You know Iris from The Goo Goo Dolls. You know the chorus, Riccardo said before breaking into song.
While the first two customers were real, it was time for the Nova crew to make a quick draw on the Aussie F1 star.
“Optus is all about saying yes, so whatever question you’re asked, your answer should only be yes all the time,” Fitzy Ricardo took out for his latest challenge.
An attractive young woman then approaches the counter under the ruse of “looking for a new phone plan”, but unbeknownst to Ricardo she has been planted by the Nova trio.
“You look really familiar,” she said.
Yes.
Are you Daniel Ricciardo?
Yes.
“What are you doing here? Can we take a selfie?”
“Not like that,” said Riccardo, laughing.
Ricciardo couldn’t help but shy away or laugh as this actor turned the script on the F1 star
The transplanted actor whose real name is Sam Ashleigh then upped things a bit.
She said, “You smell good.”
Yes.
“Do you really think you’re the best Red Bull driver?”
Yes.
“I think you are a really good kisser.”
Yes.
‘You?’
Yes.
Should we test this theory sometime? Give me your number?
Blushing and laughing hysterically, Ricciardo had to give up the game because his girlfriend Heidi Berger likely wouldn’t be happy if he said yes to it.
The actress then revealed that she was sent by the Nova trio to Ricardo’s relief.
“Oh my God, I hate you guys,” he laughed.
