Daniel Ricciardo opens up on emotional F1 exit and post-retirement life
Former Red Bull Racing and McLaren F1 Team driver Daniel Ricciardo has revealed the emotional toll of leaving Formula 1 in 2024, describing the prospect of returning to racing as “terrifying.”
Career recap
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Ricciardo started in F1 in 2011, claiming eight wins in 257 starts.
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His final F1 victory came at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, securing McLaren’s first win in nine years.
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After a short stint as Red Bull’s reserve driver in early 2023, he returned to a race seat with Racing Bulls, but struggled and was replaced by Liam Lawson for the final six races of 2024.
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His last F1 race was the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
Life after F1
Ricciardo admitted that adjusting to life outside the sport has been a challenge:
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He spent nearly 12 months keeping his distance from F1 before announcing retirement in September 2025.
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Became an ambassador for Ford, Red Bull’s 2026 engine partner, promoting vehicles like the Raptor T1+ off-road truck.
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He expressed the psychological impact of leaving F1, noting the sudden loss of structure, constant media attention, and adrenaline-filled lifestyle:
“When you wake up with really one purpose for so many years… it doesn’t really change the fact that: ‘Oh, it’s gone, and what do I do now?’”
- Ricciardo highlighted the value of alone time, realizing that constant external input had prevented him from understanding his own thoughts and priorities.
Feelings about returning to racing
Despite being competitive in F1 for over a decade, Ricciardo says the thought of jumping back into motorsport is intimidating:
“Jumping back into something as well and having another distraction was not going to help me figure out who I was… the thought of going back into a chaotic sort of lifestyle terrifies me.”
He has, however, hinted at potential participation in off-road events like the Baja 1000, though he acknowledges he still has a lot to learn before committing.
Reflection on F1 career
Ricciardo’s perspective on his departure is a mix of gratitude and realism:
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Appreciates the privilege of competitive machinery and over 100 podiums in his career.
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Accepts that, while the timing of leaving was “right,” the transition to life outside racing takes adjustment.
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Emphasizes the mental challenge of being constantly surrounded by people and attention, making independent decisions difficult.
Takeaway:
For Ricciardo, stepping away from F1 was not just a career change but a personal journey, one that required reflection, alone time, and finding purpose beyond the track. While the racing lifestyle remains enticing, he is approaching future motorsport opportunities cautiously.