After leaving Formula 1 in 2024, Daniel Ricciardo is enjoying a very different life away from the circuits. The Australian now admits that the idea of diving back into the intensity of competition no longer really appeals to him.
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Since leaving the grid after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo has chosen to keep a low profile. The Australian driver, winner of eight Grands Prix during his career, returned to his home country to gain some perspective after many years spent in the ultra-demanding environment of Formula 1.
During this transition period, Ricciardo notably spent time with his family and on the family farm in Australia. This return to a simpler life allowed him to reflect on his future and what he really wanted to do after turning the page on his professional racing career.
At the same time, the former F1 driver has been involved in various entrepreneurial and media projects. More recently, he was also named an ambassador for Ford Racing, a role that allows him to stay connected to motorsport without the constant pressure of competition.
The idea of a return to competition no longer appeals to him
Despite the speculation that sometimes surrounds former F1 drivers, Ricciardo does not seem to be considering a full-time return to a major discipline. At 36 years old, he admits that the idea of diving back into such an intense environment no longer excites him.
“It took me some time after racing to understand who I really was and what my role could be beyond just being a driver” he confides in an interview given to The Athletic.
This phase of personal reflection allowed him to find a certain serenity away from the frantic pace of the paddock.
“Today, I feel much more comfortable with all of it. I’m sitting here, much more relaxed, and to be honest, the idea of diving back into such a chaotic lifestyle terrifies me.”
A personal reflection
During his Formula 1 career, Ricciardo built a very popular image with fans thanks to his extroverted personality and his famous smile. Always ready to joke in front of the cameras, he often appeared as one of the most relaxed drivers in the paddock.
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But behind this public image, the Australian now admits that he sometimes had to hide his doubts, especially during the final years of his career.
“I’ve always been pretty good at putting on a brave face and showing people that everything was fine, that I was happy and that everything was under control” he explains.
However, once away from the hustle and bustle of the circuits, reality set in.
“When everything calmed down, when the lights went out, I said to myself: ‘Okay, I need to do some real soul-searching to make sure I’m at peace with all of this.’”
Turning the page for good?
This period of introspection seems to have deeply influenced Ricciardo’s vision of his future. For him, jumping straight into a new racing program would likely have delayed this personal reflection.
“Jumping straight into something else would have simply created a new distraction, and it wouldn’t have helped me understand who I really was” he emphasizes.
Today, the former driver therefore seems to favor a calmer lifestyle, far from the stress and constant demands of Formula 1. One thing seems certain: even if his love for motorsport remains intact, Daniel Ricciardo no longer feels the urgency to return to the starting grid.
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