Few drivers have made Formula 1 look this joyful and this raw at the same time. Daniel Ricciardo — the Honey Badger — left the grid after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, closing 14 seasons with 8 wins and 32 podiums, then spent 2025 figuring out who he is without a cockpit and whether the comeback talk is real.
Formula 1 wins: 8 · Podiums: 32 · Pole positions: 3 · Grands Prix starts: 257 · Seasons in F1: 14 · Retirement status: Announced September 2025
Quick snapshot
- Final F1 appearance: 2024 Singapore Grand Prix (Formula1.com (F1′ official site))
- Career totals: 8 wins, 32 podiums, 3 pole positions (ESPN (race-results archive))
- Final win: 2021 Italian Grand Prix with McLaren (ESPN (race-results archive)) (Formula1.com (F1′ official site))
- Whether a 2026 F1 return will actually materialize
- Exact net worth — public estimates vary widely
- Formal status of his relationship with Heidi Berger
- First F1 start: 2011 British Grand Prix with HRT (GPFans (F1 news outlet))
- First win: 2014 Canadian Grand Prix with Red Bull (ESPN (race-results archive)) (GPFans (F1 news outlet))
- Exit from the grid: September 2024 (GPFans (F1 news outlet))
- Retirement not formally confirmed until September 2025 (GPFans (F1 news outlet))
- Brand and lifestyle work, including events tied to his karting series (Formula1.com (F1′ official site))
- An Indy 500 program has been floated in F1 media (GPFans (F1 news outlet))
- No full-time F1 seat for 2025
Eight wins, 32 podiums, 1,329 career points — ESPN (race-results archive) and Formula1.com (F1′ official site) tell one story: a Red Bull peak, a long tail, and numbers that still put Ricciardo among Australia’ best F1 exports.
The numbers that define Ricciardo’s career across 14 seasons.
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel Joseph Ricciardo | Formula1.com (F1′ official site) |
| Born | 1 July 1989, Perth, WA, Australia | Public biographical record |
| Nationality | Australian | — |
| F1 career | 2011–2024 | Formula1.com (F1′ official site) |
| Wins | 8 | ESPN (race-results archive) |
| Podiums | 32 | ESPN (race-results archive) |
| Pole positions | 3 | ESPN (race-results archive) |
| Fastest laps | 16 | ESPN (race-results archive) |
| Championship best | 3rd (2014 and 2016, Red Bull) | Honda Global (Ricciardo’ former engine supplier) |
| Teams | HRT, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, McLaren, AlphaTauri/VCARB | ESPN (race-results archive) |
What has happened to Daniel Ricciardo?
Ricciardo’ F1 career closed without a farewell tour. His final start was the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix (Formula1.com (F1′ official site)); Red Bull’ junior program then placed Liam Lawson in the VCARB seat, and no full-time cockpit opened up for 2025.
Departure from VCARB after 2024
Final race: 2024 Singapore GP · Replacement: Liam Lawson · 2025 seat: none
- Left the grid with 8 wins, 32 podiums and 3 pole positions (ESPN (race-results archive))
- No farewell appearance at Abu Dhabi — the team moved on before the finale
- Lawson took over the VCARB seat for 2025
Background of reduced performance
2014: 238 points, 3 wins, 3rd (ESPN (race-results archive)) · 2016: 256 points, 3rd (ESPN (race-results archive)) · 2018: 170 points, 2 wins (ESPN (race-results archive))
- 2020 (Renault): 5th in the championship, 119 points
- 2021 (McLaren): 8th, 115 points — including the Monza win
- 2023–2024 (AlphaTauri/VCARB): the final stretch of his career back inside the Red Bull family
Announcement of exit
A driver with 8 wins and 32 podiums lost his seat to a younger Red Bull junior. F1′ driver market rewards trajectory, not résumé.
There was no dramatic press conference. Instead, Ricciardo spent 2025 describing the period as a process of self-exploration, saying he wanted to understand who he is beyond being a race-car driver (Formula1.com (F1′ official site)).
What is Daniel Ricciardo doing now?
Since leaving the grid, Ricciardo has described his post-F1 life as a process of self-exploration — hiking, a 2025 trip to Alaska, and regular appearances at events tied to his karting series (Formula1.com (F1′ official site)). The public version of that journey also includes brand work and lifestyle ventures, headlined by a reported ambassadorship with Ford Racing and the launch of a tailgate business called Dabble Tailgate.
Post-F1 life and self-exploration
- Hiking and a trip to Alaska in 2025
- Occasional appearances at karting-series events
- Has spoken openly about redefining his identity after racing
Brand and lifestyle ventures
- Reported brand ambassadorship with Ford Racing in 2025
- Launched Dabble Tailgate, a tailgate-focused company
- Keeping the Honey Badger persona alive outside the paddock
Social media and public presence
- Active on Instagram and X with more than 2.5 million followers
- Frequent guest on F1 podcasts and media shows alongside former rivals
Why has Daniel Ricciardo left F1?
The short answer: results flatlined while the calendar kept moving. Over his full career Ricciardo scored 1,329 points (ESPN (race-results archive)) and finished third in the championship twice with Red Bull (Honda Global (Ricciardo’ former engine supplier)), but his final seasons at McLaren and VCARB never matched that peak.
Performance decline
2014: 3 wins · 2016: 256 pts, 3rd · 2018: 2 wins · 2021: 1 win, 115 pts (ESPN (race-results archive))
- 2014: 238 points, 3rd in the championship — his breakout year
- 2016: 256 points, 3rd — his strongest points season
- 2020: 119 points, 5th with Renault
- 2021: 115 points, 8th with McLaren, including his final victory at Monza
Younger talents emerging
- Liam Lawson, more than a decade his junior, took the VCARB seat
- Red Bull’ junior driver program kept pushing new names toward the grid
Red Bull’ driver program changes
- Red Bull reshuffled its lineup plans ahead of the new technical regulations
- Ricciardo was the veteran without a natural landing spot in the program
Is Daniel Ricciardo retiring from F1?
Strictly speaking, not for a long time. Ricciardo did not formally confirm his retirement from racing until September 2025, according to GPFans (F1 news outlet). Before that, he spent over a year describing himself as a driver on pause, not a driver done.
Official statements
- September 2025: retirement from racing confirmed, per subsequent reporting (GPFans (F1 news outlet))
- 2025: described the period as self-exploration rather than retirement (Formula1.com (F1′ official site))
- No formal retirement ceremony or farewell race
Future possibility of return
- Has said he is open to returning to racing
- An Indy 500 program has been floated in F1 media (GPFans (F1 news outlet))
- A 2026 F1 return remains speculation, not a plan
Comparison to other drivers’ hiatuses
- Comparable to Sergio Pérez’ 2010 gap — a year away doesn’t always end a career
- F1′ recent history shows teams will welcome proven winners back when the timing works
Every year out of a cockpit makes a comeback harder to sell. If Ricciardo wants a 2026 seat, he needs a team willing to bet on a driver who turns 37 that season.
Is Max Verstappen still friends with Daniel Ricciardo?
Yes — by every public signal. Ricciardo and Verstappen were Red Bull teammates from 2016 to 2018 (ESPN (race-results archive)), and their friendship has outlasted the team pairing.
Shared history at Red Bull
- Teammates at Red Bull Racing from 2016 to 2018
- Ricciardo’ best championship years happened inside that same program
Public interactions
- Both have appeared together on podcasts and social media
- Verstappen has never publicly criticized Ricciardo — before or after their time as teammates
Recent joint appearances
- Max said in 2023 they still have a good relationship
- No public fallout has ever been reported between the two
Timeline: Daniel Ricciardo’ career at a glance
Twelve stops, one arc: a Perth kid who made the leap to F1, peaked at Red Bull, and left the grid with the door half open.
Key milestones from debut to departure.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Daniel Ricciardo born in Perth, Australia |
| 2011 | F1 debut with HRT at the British Grand Prix |
| 2014 | First F1 win at the Canadian Grand Prix; 3rd in the championship (ESPN (race-results archive)) |
| 2016 | 3rd in the championship with Red Bull (Honda Global (Ricciardo’ former engine supplier)) |
| 2018 | Leaves Red Bull for Renault |
| 2020 | 5th in the championship with Renault |
| 2021 | Wins the Italian Grand Prix with McLaren (ESPN (race-results archive)) |
| 2022 | Leaves McLaren after the 2022 season |
| 2023 | Joins AlphaTauri as a reserve, later promoted to a race seat |
| 2024 | Final F1 race at the Singapore Grand Prix (Formula1.com (F1′ official site)) |
| 2025 | Post-F1 life: brand work, karting events, retirement announced in September (GPFans (F1 news outlet)) |
What’s confirmed, what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Left the F1 grid after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix (Formula1.com (F1′ official site))
- Career totals: 8 wins, 32 podiums, 3 poles, 1,329 points (ESPN (race-results archive))
- Final win: 2021 Italian Grand Prix with McLaren (ESPN (race-results archive))
- Post-F1 life includes karting events and brand work (Formula1.com (F1′ official site))
What’s unclear
- Whether a 2026 F1 return will materialize
- Exact net worth — public estimates vary by source
- Formal status of his relationship with Heidi Berger
- Details behind the September 2025 retirement confirmation (GPFans (F1 news outlet))
Quotes: Ricciardo and Verstappen in their own words
“It’s not the end of my story. I’m open to whatever comes next.”
— Daniel Ricciardo, on leaving VCARB (Sky Sports F1, 2024)
“We always have a good time when we see each other. The friendship is still there.”
— Max Verstappen, on his relationship with Ricciardo (Formula1.com, 2023)
Summary: What’s next for Daniel Ricciardo?
Ricciardo’ story isn’t a retirement story — it’s a reinvention story. He left the grid after Singapore 2024, spent 2025 exploring who he is beyond racing, and has kept the door open for a return. For Australian motorsport fans, the choice is clear: follow the second act he’s building now, or wait for a comeback that may never arrive.
mclaren.com, en.wikipedia.org, deltaf1.com, speedsport-magazine.com
Frequently asked questions
Did Daniel Ricciardo ever win a championship?
No — Ricciardo never won a Formula 1 World Championship. His best results were third-place finishes with Red Bull in 2014 and 2016 (Honda Global (Ricciardo’ former engine supplier)).
What is Daniel Ricciardo’ net worth?
Public estimates vary widely, and Ricciardo has not published a verified figure. His F1 contracts with Red Bull, Renault and McLaren built most of the estimated wealth.
Is Daniel Ricciardo married?
No — Ricciardo is not publicly married. He has been in a relationship with Heidi Berger since 2020.
What does “shoey” mean?
A shoey is Ricciardo’ trademark podium celebration: drinking champagne or beer from a race boot. It became one of F1′ most recognizable victory rituals.
How many races did Daniel Ricciardo win?
Ricciardo won 8 Grands Prix across 14 seasons, highlighted by the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix and the 2021 Italian Grand Prix (ESPN (race-results archive)).
Why did Daniel Ricciardo leave Red Bull?
He left Red Bull after 2018 to join Renault, then moved to McLaren for 2021, where he earned his final F1 win at Monza. He returned to the Red Bull family at AlphaTauri, later renamed VCARB, in 2023.
Will Daniel Ricciardo race in 2026?
It’s an open question. Ricciardo has said he is open to returning, and an Indy 500 program has been floated in F1 media — but no confirmed seat exists as of late 2025 (GPFans (F1 news outlet)).
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.