Drenched in reflection, Daniel Ricciardo reveals a life that looks almost unrecognizable from two years ago, when he was gearing up for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix. Once a dominant eight-time Formula 1 race winner with a full-time seat at the start of that season, he was replaced by Liam Lawson after the Singapore Grand Prix in late September 2024. He stepped away from the F1 glare, searching for normalcy while figuring out what his next life chapter would look like beyond the relentless, regimented motorsport world.
Ricciardo ultimately chose to retire from racing—a decision he announced nearly a year later—and he stepped into the role of Global Ford Racing Ambassador, focusing on the Raptor lineup. While cruising through Melbourne ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, he sat down with The Athletic to discuss how he’s healed and forged this new chapter. He also took time to answer questions from fans submitted to The Athletic’s dedicated F1 WhatsApp channel. Questions have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
If you could turn back time, what would you do over again? — Bayu
The most obvious “what if?”—especially from an outside perspective—centers on: what if Ricciardo had stayed with Red Bull after 2018? (Note: This refers to the moment he left Red Bull, joining Renault, before later moving to McLaren, with neither move delivering the hoped-for results.)
I’m not sure I know the answer. Perhaps that decision carried emotional weight, but there were solid reasons I doubted it would work. There’s also the possibility that Max Verstappen would have continued to overpower the field, potentially truncating my career even sooner. I don’t know.
Back then, I was competitive with Max, and we pushed each other hard.
It’s a tough trade-off. I might have added more wins, but I can’t deny that Max is… Max (now a four-time world champion).
At the time, the prevailing narrative painted me as fleeing the fight. I don’t believe I was dodging a battle. I was more concerned about how things would unfold going forward and the team dynamics, not just the on-track battles.
Am I denying that Max would have been exceptionally hard to beat? Not at all. It’s just a curiosity about how things might have played out. I wouldn’t call it a true regret, but it’s a question I still ponder.
Max Verstappen (left) and Daniel Ricciardo at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, their final race together at Red Bull (Lars Baron / Getty Images)
Outside F1, which sport would you choose if you could start over? — Reesa
Here we go—Ricciardo laughs. There are plenty of contenders. If I were starting today, I’d probably gravitate toward padel, which I love. I’d expect it to balloon into the Olympics soon, which would be exciting. Playing a lot already keeps the passion alive.
If you had to describe your driving style as a movie character, who would it be and why? — Damia
Ace Ventura. His signature reverse-parking, slide-180 move is iconic and stylish. He embodies flair and fun, which fits the way I like to drive.
What’s the ideal future with Ford Racing for you? — Vaibhav
Short answer: keep it fun. I want to play with cars, reliving the excitement I’ve always loved—the thrill of speed, chasing adventures that still scare me a little. Jumping a truck for the first time scared me, and that fear is part of what drew me to driving in the first place. If I can keep that playful spirit alive, the future with Ford Racing would be really cool.
I’ve enjoyed collaborating with Ford Racing, and the partnerships with Enchanté (Ricciardo’s fashion brand) have been incredibly well received. I’d love those collaborations to continue growing alongside Ford Racing.
What advice would you give about not giving up on your dreams when critics weigh in? — Cassie
Tell them it isn’t their dream—or their business. People will always have opinions, but it’s your dream, not theirs. Remember: when others try to talk you out of it, that’s a reminder that this is your path, not someone else’s.
March 4, 2026
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