Few drivers leave Formula 1 with a trademark celebration named after them. Daniel Ricciardo does—his “shoey” became almost as famous as his eight grand prix wins (Speedcafe). The Australian’s journey from Red Bull to Renault, McLaren, and back to the Red Bull family ended quietly in 2025. Here’s how it all unfolded and what comes next.
Formula 1 starts: 257 ·
Grand Prix wins: 8 ·
Podium finishes: 32 ·
Pole positions: 3 ·
Fastest laps: 17 ·
Last F1 team: Racing Bulls (VCARB)
Quick snapshot
- Removed from Racing Bulls seat in 2024 after the Singapore Grand Prix (Formula1.com)
- Confirmed retirement from motor racing in 2025 (ESPN)
- Eight grand prix wins across 14 seasons (Speedcafe)
- 32 podium finishes throughout his career (The Athletic)
- Whether he will ever return to competitive racing in IndyCar, NASCAR, or WEC (ESPN reported he had offers but declined)
- Exact net worth (estimates vary; no official figure published) (Formula1.com)
- Full details of his 2026 brand partnerships beyond Ford Racing and Enchante (ESPN reported he had offers but declined)
- Mid‑2024: removed from Racing Bulls seat after inconsistent form and a broken hand (Speedcafe)
- Early 2025: officially retired from motor racing (ESPN)
- 2025 onward: named Global Ford Racing Ambassador (ESPN)
- Global ambassador roles for Ford Racing and Enchante (Formula1.com)
- No confirmed plans to race in any series (ESPN)
- Remains close friends with Max Verstappen (The Athletic)
Six career facts that frame his journey:
| Full name | Daniel Joseph Ricciardo |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Date of birth | 1 July 1989 |
| F1 debut | 2011 (HRT) |
| Last F1 team | Racing Bulls (VCARB) |
| Best championship finish | 3rd in 2014 and 2016 |
Data sourced from Formula1.com (official F1 driver registry).
What has happened to Daniel Ricciardo?
The 2024 Racing Bulls exit
- Ricciardo was removed from his Racing Bulls seat after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix (Formula1.com).
- Red Bull replaced him with Liam Lawson for the remainder of the season (The Athletic).
- A broken hand earlier in the year and inconsistent form had left Ricciardo vulnerable (Speedcafe).
Red Bull’s decision removed the pressure that had been building for months. Ricciardo later called it a relief, not a shock.
Red Bull’s decision and Ricciardo’s gratitude
- Ricciardo said he was “grateful” that Red Bull made the exit call for him, describing it as a release from a difficult period (News.GP).
- He acknowledged that his return to the Red Bull orbit in mid‑2023 had never regained the magic of his earlier years (Speedcafe).
The implication: Ricciardo’s F1 career ended by Red Bull’s calculus, not by his own choice. But the Australian accepts the outcome and has moved on.
Has Daniel Ricciardo retired from F1?
Retirement announcement in 2025
- In early 2025 Ricciardo confirmed he had retired from motor racing for good (ESPN).
- He described it as “retirement from the world I had been living in,” admitting it felt strange to use the word at age 35 (Formula1.com).
- The announcement came alongside the reveal of his new ambassador role with Ford Racing (ESPN).
Official confirmation and farewell
- Ricciardo said he was “enjoying some life in the slow lane” after leaving the F1 grid (Formula1.com).
- He has no current plans to race in F1 or any other major series.
Ricciardo’s retirement closes the book on F1’s most charismatic driver of the 2010s. For Australian motorsport fans, the gap left by his departure is unlikely to be filled soon.
Is Daniel Ricciardo coming back to racing?
Post-F1 racing activities
- As of 2025, Ricciardo has not entered any competitive race series (ESPN).
- ESPN reported that he received offers from IndyCar and NASCAR but declined them all (ESPN).
- He remains involved with Ford Raptor and Enchante brand work, not racing.
Possible appearances in other series
- No official plans for IndyCar, WEC, or any other discipline have been announced.
- Ricciardo has not ruled out one‑off events, but his focus is now on brand ambassadorship.
The pattern: After 14 seasons and 257 starts, Ricciardo is choosing brand work over the cockpit. The trade‑off seems intentional—less travel, more control, and a chance to build something outside the paddock.
Is Max Verstappen still friends with Daniel Ricciardo?
The former Red Bull teammates
- Verstappen and Ricciardo remain close friends, despite no longer being teammates (The Athletic).
- Verstappen has publicly supported Ricciardo after his exit, calling him a “legend” of the sport.
- The two have been seen together in non‑racing contexts, including golf outings and social events.
Public statements and interactions
- Verstappen said in interviews that their bond was not tied to F1—it was a genuine friendship.
- Ricciardo has also spoken warmly about Verstappen, noting they speak regularly.
Their friendship has endured a competitive split and a retirement. That’s rare in F1, and it suggests a connection that outlasts the racing itself.
Three driver transitions: how Ricciardo’s exit compares to other prominent F1 departures:
| Driver | Exit year | Reason | Post-F1 activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Ricciardo | 2024/2025 | Performance & team decision | Brand ambassador (Ford, Enchante) |
| Kimi Räikkönen | 2021 | Retirement (age 42) | Motorsport management, rally driving |
| Sebastian Vettel | 2022 | Retirement (personal choice) | Environmental activism, family time |
The contrast: Only Ricciardo moved directly into a global brand ambassador role rather than full retirement or another racing discipline.
Timeline: From exit to ambassador
- July 2024: Red Bull exercises option to remove Ricciardo from Racing Bulls seat mid‑season (Formula1.com).
- Late 2024: Ricciardo steps away from F1, expresses gratitude to Red Bull (News.GP).
- Early 2025: Ricciardo officially announces retirement from Formula 1 (ESPN).
- 2025 onward: Takes on global ambassador roles with Enchante and Ford Racing (ESPN).
What we know and what remains open
Confirmed facts
- Ricciardo was removed from Racing Bulls seat in 2024 (Formula1.com)
- He retired from F1 in 2025 (ESPN)
- He earned 8 wins, 32 podiums, 17 fastest laps (Speedcafe)
- He remains friends with Max Verstappen (The Athletic)
What’s unclear
- Whether he will ever race again in IndyCar, NASCAR, or WEC (ESPN reported offers but no acceptance)
- His exact net worth (estimates range) (No official figure)
- The full scope of his 2026 brand deals beyond Ford and Enchante
In his own words
“I’m enjoying some life in the slow lane.”
Daniel Ricciardo, speaking to Formula1.com after his exit
“It feels strange to call it retirement at 35, but I am retiring from the world I’ve been living in.”
Daniel Ricciardo, in his retirement announcement via ESPN
Ricciardo’s post‑F1 life is quieter but carefully curated. He traded pit walls for boardroom tables and a global calendar for brand commitments. For Australian motorsport fans who grew up watching the Honey Badger’s shoey celebrations, the hole he left in the F1 grid is not likely to be filled soon. The choice ahead is clear: watch him build a new legacy off the track, or hope he makes a cameo on it again someday.
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For a deeper look at the circumstances surrounding his final season, you can read more about Daniel Ricciardos F1 retirement.
Frequently asked questions
What is Daniel Ricciardo doing after F1?
He is working as a global brand ambassador for Ford Racing and Enchante, with no current plans to race competitively.
Is Daniel Ricciardo still racing?
No, he retired from motor racing in 2025 and has not entered any series since.
How many F1 wins does Daniel Ricciardo have?
Eight grand prix wins, achieved between 2014 and 2021 (Speedcafe).
What is a shoey in F1?
It’s a celebration where a driver drinks champagne from their own racing shoe. Ricciardo popularized it in F1.
Is Daniel Ricciardo in a relationship?
He has kept his private life largely out of the spotlight; no confirmed public partner as of 2025.
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s height and age?
He is approximately 1.78 m tall and was born on 1 July 1989, making him 35–36 in 2025.
Why did Daniel Ricciardo leave Red Bull?
He left Red Bull at the end of 2018 to join Renault, seeking a new challenge. His return to the Red Bull family in 2023 ended with his removal in 2024.
Who is the lowest paid F1 driver?
Salary figures vary by season and team. As of 2025, rookie drivers and back‑marker team drivers typically earn the least, but Ricciardo was not among them.
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James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.