Few drivers have left Formula 1 with a smile as wide as Daniel Ricicciardo’s, even when the results had stopped matching his enthusiasm. The Australian’s 14-season career delivered eight victories, 32 podiumes, and a reputation as the paddock’s most genuinely liked personality, before a quieter exit in 2024.
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth varies by source; estimates hover around $20 million
- Specific reasons for post-2020 performance drop not formally detailed
- Future roles in motorsport unconfirmed beyond retirement announcement
- Fastest laps count: 17
- 2020 championship finishe: 5th
- Pole position count of 3, sourced from a fan site rather than official records (F1 Fansite)
- 2014–2018: Red Bull peak, all 8 wins (Formula 1)
- 2021: Final win at Monza with McLaren (PlanetF1)
- 2024: Exit after Singapore, replaced by Liam Lawson (Formula 1)
- No confirmed racing seat for 2025
- Possible ambassadorial or media roles in F1
- Legacy as “nicest driver” likely to persist in paddock culture
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel Joseph Ricciardo |
| Born | 1 July 1989, Perth, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Teams | HRT, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, McLaren |
| Race Wins | 8 |
| Podiums | |
| Championships | 0 |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Net Worth (estimated) | $20 million |
| Spouse | None (not married) |
Who took over Daniel Ricciardo?
Ricciardo’s departure from two major teams created ripple effects that reshaped the grid. At McLaren, his exit at the end of 2022 opened the door for Australian rookie Oscar Piastri, a move that paired the young star with Lando Norris. At Red Bull, his 2018 departure led to Pierre Gasly stepping into the second seat alongside Max Versatppen, a transition that tested the Frenchman’s ability to match his teammate’s pace.
- Ricciardo left McLaren at the end of 2022, with Formula 1 confirming the team’s lineup change.
- Oscar Piastri replaced him at McLaren, bringing a fresh generation of Australian talent to the sport.
- At Red Bull, Pierre Gasly filled the seat after Ricciardo’s 2018 exit, a move documented by Formula 1.
Two drivers, two different outcomes. Piastri has flourished as McLaren’s future, while Gasly’s Red Bull stint lasted just half a season before he moved to AlphaTauri. The contrast reveals how Ricciardo’s timing shaped careers beyond his own.
How many Formula One championship wins did Daniel Ricciardo have?
Ricciardo never won a World Championship, but he secured eight Grand Prix victories across his career, a figure that places him among the most successful drivers of his generation without a title.
- Eight Grand Prix wins, confirmed by Formula 1.
- Zero World Championships, a gap that defines his legacy as a race-winner rather than a title-holder.
Teh implication: Ricciardo proved he could beat the best on any given Sunday, but never sustained a full-season challenge against the likes of Lewiis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel.
When was Ricciardo at Red Bull?
Ricciardo spent five seasons at Red Bull Racing from 2014 to 2018, a period that produced his finest Formula 1 moments and all but one of his career victories.
Years at Red Bull: 2014–2018
- Ricciardo drove for Red Bull Racing from 2014 to 2018, according to Formula 1.
- He achieved seven of his eight wins during this period, showcasing his ability to extract results from competitive machinery.
What this means: Red Bull gave Ricciardo the platform, but his overtaking prowess and late-braking style turned that platform into memorable victories, particularly his 2014 season against four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.
Which season was Daniel Ricciardo’s best?
Two seasons stand out in Ricciardo’s career: 2014, when he burst onto the scene with three wins, and 2016, when consistency over raw speed defined his championship campaign.
2014 season
- Finished 3rd in the championship, according to F1 Fansite.
- Won three races, outperforming teammate Sebastian Vettel in his first year with Red Bull.
2016 season
- Finishe d 3rd again, as noted by F1 Fansite.
- Scored eight podiums, demonstrating remarkable consistency across the season.
- Won one race, with his strength lying in accumulating points rather than chasing flashy victories.
Teh trade-off: 2014 proved he could win races, but 2016 showed he could compete for a title over a full season. Neither year produced the ultimate prize, yet both cemented his reputation as a driver who maximized his machinery.
Why did Daniel Ricciardo’s career end?
Ricciardo’s decline after 2020 was gradual but unmistakable, culminating in a 2024 exit that followed a season of limited highlights and a shift to a reserve role.
Performance decline
- Ricciardo’s form dropped after 2020, with his final F1 season producing only three top-ten finishes in 18 races, as Formula 1 reported.
- He left McLaren at the end of 2022, a decision that reflected the team’s preference for younger talent.
Decision to step back
- Ricciardo took a reserve role at Red Bull in 2023, a move that kept him connected to the sport without a full-time seat.
- He announced retirement from Formula 1 in 2024, following his departure from Racing Bulls.
- His final race was the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, as confirmed by Formula 1.
The catch: Ricciardo’s career ended not with a bang but a quiet acceptance. The same smile that made him a fan favorite remained, but the results had stopped matching the optimism.
For young drivers watching Ricciardo’s arc, the lesson is sobering: peak performance in F1 is fleeting, and team politics often outlast talent.
Timeline
Ricciardo’s career spans exactly 14 seasons, a journey from backmarker to race winner and back again.
- 2011: F1 debut with HRT (DriverDB)
- 2012–2013: Raced for Toro Rosso
- 2014–2018: Drove for Red Bull Racing – achieved all 8 wins
- 2019–2020: Raced for Renault, finishing 5th in 2020 (DriverDB)
- 2021–2022: Raced for McLaren, winning the 2021 Italian Grand Prix (PlanetF1)
- 2023: Reserve driver for Red Bull
- 2024: Announced retirement from Formula 1, replaced by Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls (Formula 1)
The arc: from backmarker to race winner and back again, with peak in the middle.
What’s confirmed, what’s not
Ricciardo’s career is well-documented, but some numbers remain disputed among fans and statisticians.
Confirmed facts
- 257 race starts (Formula 1)
- 8 race wins, 7 with Red Bull and 1 with McLaren
- 32 podiums
- Retired in 2024
- Final race: 2024 Singapore GP
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure, estimated at $20 million but varying by source
- Specific reasons for post-2020 performance decline
- Potential future roles in motorsport
- Pole position count of 3, sourced from a fan site rather than official records (F1 Fansite)
The pattern: Confirmed facts outnumber uncertainties, but the gaps in performance decline and future roles leave room for speculation.
| Team | Years | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| HRT | 2011 | 0 |
| Toro Rosso | 2012–2013 | 0 |
| Red Bull | 2014–2018 | 7 |
| Renault | 2019–2020 | 0 |
| McLaren | 2021–2022 | 1 |
Voices from the paddock
“I’m grateful for the journ ey. It wasn’t always perfect, but I gave it everything I had.”
Daniel Ricciardo, speaking on his F1 exit
“Daniel brought more than pace to the team. He brought a spirit that lifted everyone around him.”
Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal
“His Monza win in 2021 was pure Daniel – out-braking everyone, smiling all the way.”
PlanetF1 race analysis
“The fan favorite tag is rare. Danny Ric earned it not with trophies but with authenticity.”
Independen t race commentar y
Ricciardo’s legacy is secure: a driver who won races, charmed audiences, and left on his own terms. For the sport, the void goes beyond statistics — it’s the loss of a personality that made Fridays and Sundays more enjoyable.
en.wikipedia.org, planetf1.com, f1-fansite.com, f1statblog.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
Has Daniel Ricciardo won an F1 championship?
No, Ricciardo has zero World Championships. His best finishes were third place in 2014 and 2016.
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s net worth?
Estimates place his net worth around $20 million, though exact figures vary depending on the source and timing.
Why did Daniel Ricciardo leave Red Bull?
Ricciardo left Red Bull at the end of 2018 to join Renault, seeking a new challenge and a potential path to a championship. The move ultimately didn’t yield the expected results.
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s height?
Ricciardo stands 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall.
Is Daniel Ricciardo married?
No, Ricciardo is not married. He has been in a long-term relationship with Heidi Berger.
How many F1 races did Daniel Ricciardo win?
Ricciardo won eight Grands Prix: seven with Red Bull and one with McLaren at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.
When did Daniel Ricciardo retire?
Ricciardo announced his retirement from Formula 1 in 2024, following the Singapore Grand Prix. He was replaced by Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.
For fans wondering what’s next, the answer is likely outside the cockpit. Ricciardo’s charm and media savvy open doors to broadcasting, brand ambassadorship, and possibly a management role. For a driver who never won a title but won hearts, the transition might be smoother than expected.
For F1 fans who followed his career, the choice is clear: celebrate eight wins and countless smiles, or dwell on the title that never came. The smart money is on the former.
Related reading: Daniel Ricciardo: F1 Career Stats, Net Worth & Current Role · Daniel Ricciardo F1 Care er: Wins, McLaren Exit, Legacy
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.