Retired from competition since 2024, Daniel Ricciardo will nevertheless make his return to the world of motorsport this month on the occasion of the legendary 500 Miles of Indianapolis.
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Even though he has officially turned the page on Formula 1 and motorsport competition, Daniel Ricciardo has never really stayed far from the paddock. The former Red Bull and McLaren driver has confirmed that he will attend this year’s famous 500 Miles of Indianapolis, a race he has long dreamed of discovering.
The Australian, absent from the grids since the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, recently announced that he was definitively ending his professional driving career. Since then, he has devoted his time to several personal projects, including his role as ambassador for Ford Racing as well as the development of his wine brand.
But despite this new life away from the circuits, Ricciardo continues to nurture a huge passion for motorsport. His presence in Indianapolis will therefore not go unnoticed.
An experience he awaits “like a child”
It was during Conor Daly’s Speed Street podcast that Daniel Ricciardo spoke about his impatience before discovering the Indy 500 from the inside. And the former winner of eight Grands Prix seems particularly enthusiastic about experiencing this legendary event as a simple spectator.
“With everything you told me about the Indy 500, I think I’ve never been so eager to watch a race since my childhood” Ricciardo confided.
Used to European paddocks and constant travel around the world for nearly fifteen years, the Australian thinks that the unique atmosphere of Indianapolis could leave a lasting impression on him.
“Discovering it the way you talk about it… You who have known races in Europe and all that world… I feel like it will really touch me emotionally. I am eager to experience it as a fan.”
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The American event will take place on May 24, just a few hours before the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
A project born from a family discussion
Ricciardo’s visit to Indianapolis is also linked to a partnership with Conor Daly and the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team. His wine brand will notably be highlighted during the event thanks to this collaboration.
But behind this trip lies a much more personal motivation. The Australian driver revealed that his father had long dreamed of attending the Indy 500.
“We started talking about how to involve Conor more in the project, Ricciardo explained. And at the same time, I was talking with my father about the 500 Miles of Indianapolis. It’s something he has always wanted to see.”
The former Red Bull driver then decided to make this old family dream come true: “I said to myself: ‘Let’s do it in 2026, let’s go see the race’.”
Even away from Formula 1, Daniel Ricciardo continues to cultivate his love for motorsport. And his return to a paddock as legendary as Indianapolis is sure to rekindle nostalgia among many fans.
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