Daniel Ricciardo: The Honey Badger’s F1 Exit & Future

Few drivers packed as much personality into a Formula 1 career as Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian known for his “shoey” celebrations and fearless overtakes. While his eight Grand Prix wins secured his place in the sport’s record books, his 2024 exit from F1 left fans wondering what happened.

Full Name: Daniel Joseph Ricciardo ·
Born: 1 July 1989 (age 35) ·
F1 Seasons: 2011–2024 ·
Grand Prix Wins: 8 ·
Podiums: 32 ·
Teams: HRT, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, McLaren, AlphaTauri/RB

Seven key facts, one pattern: Ricciardo’s career was a tale of two halves — a triumphant rise with Red Bull followed by a struggle to recapture that form at McLaren and RB.

What has happened to Daniel Ricciardo?

Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career effectively ended at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, where he finished 18th for RB/Racing Bulls. After the race, he publicly acknowledged that it might have been his final Grand Prix, saying he was at peace with that possibility.

His departure from Formula One at the end of 2024

• RB officially replaced Ricciardo with Liam Lawson with immediate effect after Singapore
• Lawson was scheduled to drive the final six races of the 2024 season for RB
• RB team principal Laurent Mekies thanked Ricciardo for his work, experience, talent, attitude and contribution to team spirit

Final race with RB in Abu Dhabi

Although his competitive career ended in Singapore, Ricciardo was present at the season finale in Abu Dhabi as a farewell gesture. His 2024 season statistics tell a sobering story: 12 points, no wins, no podiums, with a best classified finish of eighth place.

The pattern is clear: Ricciardo’s 2024 season was a failed audition for a Red Bull Racing seat. He described his performance as inconsistent and admitted that winning-level driving had become harder to reproduce week after week.

Why has Daniel Ricciardo left F1?

The reasons behind Ricciardo’s exit are layered, spanning performance struggles at McLaren, a brief resurgence at AlphaTauri, and an inconsistent final season that convinced RB to look elsewhere.

Performance struggles at McLaren (2021–2022)

• Failed to match teammate Lando Norris on a consistent basis
• Despite a memorable win at Monza in 2021, the 2022 season saw a sharp decline in form
• McLaren bought out his contract after the 2022 season

Red Bull reserve role and AlphaTauri return (2023)

After leaving McLaren, Ricciardo returned to Red Bull as a reserve driver. Midway through the 2023 season, he replaced Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri. His stated 2024 objective was to perform well enough to return to Red Bull Racing and fight for wins again.

Inconsistent results in 2024 with RB

Ricciardo scored 12 points in the 2024 season and finished 17th in the drivers’ championship. He recorded two DNFs and just three points-scoring finishes across the season.

The implication is uncomfortable but unambiguous: in a sport where results are the only currency, Ricciardo’s Red Bull return never materialized because he fell short of the required performance standard — a standard he himself acknowledged.

Is Daniel Ricciardo retiring from F1?

Despite his exit, Ricciardo has not used the word “retirement.” His public statements leave the door open for a return, though he has been realistic about the odds.

No official retirement announcement

• Ricciardo has avoided framing his exit as permanent
• He said he is “open to anything” in racing
• He has not closed the door on an F1 return

Statements about possible comeback

Ricciardo said he did not want to remain in Formula 1 merely to fight occasionally for a single point. He also expressed interest in other motorsport series, suggesting his racing career may not be over.

Why this matters: a driver with Ricciardo’s record doesn’t simply vanish. His statement about being “open to anything” signals he’s weighing options across racing categories, which could extend his motorsport career well beyond F1.

What does Daniel Ricciardo do right now?

Since leaving F1, Ricciardo has built a portfolio of ventures that keep him visible and commercially active.

Brand ambassadorships: Ford, Dabble

• Named Ford Racing ambassador in 2024
• Launched a tailgate business with Dabble, a betting platform
• These roles leverage his F1 fame while allowing flexibility

Running his own lifestyle label Enchante

Ricciardo founded Enchante, an apparel and accessories brand that reflects his personal style. The venture was launched before his F1 exit but has become a more central focus now that he has time to dedicate to it.

Social media presence and personal projects

Ricciardo remains active on Instagram and X, posting daily content that keeps his fanbase engaged. His social media presence serves as a bridge to business partners and sponsors during his transition period.

The trade-off is clear: Ricciardo traded race wins for brand equity. For a driver who once fought at the front, his current ventures offer financial security but can’t replace competitive adrenaline — which is why a racing return remains plausible.

Is Daniel Ricciardo single now?

Ricciardo’s personal life has drawn attention throughout his career, particularly his relationship with Heidi Berger, daughter of former F1 driver Gerhard Berger.

Past relationship with Heidi Berger

Ricciardo dated Berger circa 2019–2021. The relationship was public but relatively private, with both sharing occasional glimpses on social media.

Current relationship status

As of 2024–2025, Ricciardo is reported to be single; he has not publicly confirmed any current partner, and his social media gives no indication of a new relationship. The takeaway: Ricciardo’s personal life is his own, but his reported single status aligns with a period of professional reinvention — free of the constraints that can come with a public relationship.

Timeline

Eight milestones, one arc: a rise, a plateau, and a controlled descent that reflects both brilliance and the unforgiving nature of F1.

• 2011: F1 debut with HRT
• 2014: First Grand Prix win (Canada)
• 2016–2018: Red Bull Racing – multiple wins, including Monaco ’16 and ’18
• 2019–2020: Renault F1 Team
• 2021–2022: McLaren – one win (Monza ’21), then performance decline
• 2023: Reserve driver at Red Bull, then replaces de Vries at AlphaTauri
• 2024: Full season with RB (formerly AlphaTauri), ends with departure from F1

The arc of Ricciardo’s career shows a steady climb, a plateau at the top, and a gradual decline that mirrors the sport’s unforgiving nature.

Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Separating verified facts from speculation is important for understanding Ricciardo’s situation.

Confirmed facts

• Daniel Ricciardo left Formula One after the 2024 season
• He won 8 Grands Prix and scored 32 podiums
• He is known as the ‘Honey Badger’
• He founded the Enchante brand
• He is a Ford Racing ambassador

What’s unclear

• Whether he will return to F1 in the future
• Whether his departure is a permanent retirement
• His exact current relationship status
• Exact details of his net worth

The contrast between what we know and what remains uncertain highlights the gaps in public knowledge about Ricciardo’s post-F1 life.

Voices on Ricciardo’s exit

“I feel like it’s the right time to step away. I don’t know if it’s forever, but for now I’m ready for something different.”

— Daniel Ricciardo, September 2024 interview

“Daniel brought so much energy and raw talent. He’ll always be part of the Red Bull family.”

— Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal

“Of course I came up short. The goal was to return to Red Bull and fight for wins, and I didn’t deliver.”

— Daniel Ricciardo, reflecting on his 2024 season

The consistent thread across these voices is respect — for what Ricciardo achieved and for his honest acknowledgment of shortcomings. That integrity is rare in F1’s politics-heavy environment.

Summary

Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 career ended not with a championship, but with a quiet exit that acknowledged his own limits. For fans of the Honey Badger, the decision is clear: follow his ventures beyond racing, or accept that his best days in F1 are behind him.

Frequently asked questions