For a generation of Formula 1 fans, Daniel Ricciardo was the smile of the paddock—until Red Bull removed him from his Racing Bulls seat in September 2024. Here’s what happened, why he left, and what the 35-year-old Australian is building next.
Born: 1 July 1989 ·
F1 career: 2011–2024 ·
Grand Prix wins: 8 ·
Nickname: The Honey Badger ·
Reported net worth: $194 million ·
Instagram followers: 10 million
Quick snapshot
- Left RB on 26 September 2024 (Formula1.com) (Instagram bio)
- Won 8 Formula 1 Grands Prix (Formula1.com) (Instagram bio)
- Founder of Enchante (Instagram bio)
- Whether he will return to F1 or another series
- Current relationship status (linked to Heidi Berger)
- Exact net worth beyond reported $194 million
- Final race: 2024 Singapore Grand Prix (CarExpert, an Australian automotive outlet)
- Exit announced: 26 September 2024 (Formula1.com) (CarExpert, an Australian automotive outlet)
- Second Red Bull stint ended (2023–2024) (CarExpert, an Australian automotive outlet)
- Dabble Tailgate business partnership (announced on X) (GPfans, a leading F1 fan site)
- Enchante brand development (GPfans, a leading F1 fan site)
- No F1 return announced for 2025 (GPfans, a leading F1 fan site)
Six facts capture the arc of Ricciardo’s F1 journey: start, peak, nickname, wealth, audience, and next act.
| Born | 1 July 1989 |
| F1 career | 2011–2024 |
| Grand Prix wins | 8 |
| Nickname | The Honey Badger |
| Reported net worth | $194 million |
| 10 million followers; founder @enchante |
What has happened to Daniel Ricciardo?
Racing Bulls exit and the end of an F1 career
- Ricciardo’s F1 career spanned 2011 to 2024 (Formula1.com, the sport’s official news source).
- He won 8 Grands Prix and stood on the podium 32 times.
- His final race was the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix (CarExpert).
The Honey Badger’s legacy in numbers
F1 seasons: 13 · Grands Prix entered: ~250 · Wins: 8 · Podiums: 32
Grateful reaction to the decision
“They took the decision out of my hands, and honestly, I’m thankful for that.”
— Daniel Ricciardo, speaking to Formula1.com, the sport’s official news source
The implication for fans: the paddock’s biggest personality is no longer a full-time driver, but his influence in the sport’s business side is just getting started.
Why did Daniel Ricciardo leave F1?
The role of Red Bull’s decision-making
Ricciardo’s departure wasn’t a retirement; it was a team decision. That distinction keeps the door open for a return—if he wants one.
Racing Bulls seat in 2024
- Ricciardo was in his second stint with the Red Bull F1 organisation.
- Liam Lawson replaced him for the final six races of the 2024 season (Formula1.com).
No retirement announcement
“We thank Daniel for his experience, talent and attitude. He has been a great contributor to our team spirit.”
— Laurent Mekies, RB team principal, via GPfans, a leading F1 fan site
The pattern: Ricciardo’s F1 exit was a strategic personnel move by Red Bull, not a fall from grace. The friendship with the team’s leadership appears intact, making a future role—in some capacity—plausible.
What is Ricciardo doing now?
Entrepreneurship: Enchante
Ricciardo’s Instagram bio now describes him as “Founder of @enchante,” a lifestyle brand he launched after his time in F1. The exact product lineup remains under wraps, but the brand signals a deliberate pivot toward business ownership.
Dabble Tailgate business
He has also announced a partnership with Dabble, a social gaming platform, to create a “Tailgate” experience. The announcement was made on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Social media and brand partnerships
His Instagram profile has around 10 million followers and roughly 125 posts. It remains active with brand partnerships and personal updates, keeping his public profile warm.
The trade-off: Ricciardo is translating his personal brand into commercial assets. Enchante and Dabble Tailgate are the first steps of what looks like a deliberate post-racing career in lifestyle and hospitality.
Is Daniel Ricciardo coming back to racing?
Why comeback questions persist
Every month he spends outside a race car, the harder a competitive return becomes. But his current business path is lower-risk and potentially higher-reward than another mid-field drive.
No official announcement in current search results
As of the latest available information, Ricciardo has no confirmed Formula 1 drive for the 2025 season (GPfans). While he has not formally ruled out a return in another series—such as IndyCar or World Endurance—his current focus appears to be on his entrepreneurial projects.
Is Max Verstappen still friends with Daniel Ricciardo?
A friendship from the Red Bull era
Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were Red Bull teammates between 2016 and 2018, a period that forged a close friendship. According to search data and fan reports, the two remain in touch.
No evidence of a falling out
Why this matters: Verstappen’s inner circle is famously small. Ricciardo’s continued presence in it says something about the durability of their bond, even across different career stages.
Is Daniel Ricciardo still rich?
Reported net worth: $194 million
Yahoo Finance UK ranked Ricciardo among the wealthiest Formula 1 drivers in 2026, estimating his net worth at $194 million. He earned substantial salaries during his Red Bull, Renault, and McLaren stints, and his current income streams include his Enchante brand and the Dabble Tailgate partnership.
Income sources after F1
Ricciardo’s current income streams include his Enchante brand, the Dabble Tailgate partnership, and ongoing endorsements.
The implication: Ricciardo’s wealth is likely to hold steady in the short term, but his new ventures will determine his long-term financial legacy.
Who is Daniel Ricciardo’s partner in 2026?
Heidi Berger in search context
Public search data frequently links Ricciardo to Heidi Berger, a model and the daughter of former F1 driver Gerhard Berger. However, neither Ricciardo nor Berger has officially confirmed a relationship.
Is Daniel Ricciardo single?
The fact that the question “Is Daniel Ricciardo single now?” appears in Google’s People Also Ask results highlights the lack of a definitive public statement on his relationship status.
The pattern: Ricciardo has kept his personal life remarkably private compared to peers. The Heidi Berger speculation persists because he hasn’t publicly addressed it.
Timeline of Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 departure
From his F1 debut in 2011 to the 2024 exit and his current reported net worth, the key dates tell the story of a career that shifted tracks.
| Date / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 July 1989 | Daniel Ricciardo is born in Perth, Australia. (Formula1.com analysis) |
| 2011 | Ricciardo makes his Formula 1 debut. (Formula1.com) |
| 2011–2024 | Ricciardo competes in Formula 1 and wins eight Grands Prix. (Formula1.com) |
| 2024 | Red Bull removes Ricciardo from his Racing Bulls seat, ending his F1 career. (Formula1.com) |
| 2026 | Ricciardo appears in rich-list coverage with a reported $194 million net worth (Yahoo Finance UK). |
The timeline highlights how Ricciardo’s career shifted from racing to business, with his net worth making headlines long after his final race.
What’s confirmed and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Ricciardo left RB on 26 Sept 2024 (Formula1.com)
- He won 8 Grands Prix (Formula1.com)
- He founded Enchante (Instagram bio)
What remains unclear
- F1 comeback plans
- Relationship with Heidi Berger
- Exact net worth beyond reported $194 million
- Exact current relationship status
Separating verified facts from speculation is essential for understanding Ricciardo’s current status and future prospects.
What they said
“They took the decision out of my hands, and honestly, I’m thankful for that.”
— Daniel Ricciardo, speaking to Formula1.com, the sport’s official news source
“We thank Daniel for his experience, talent and attitude. He has been a great contributor to our team spirit.”
— Laurent Mekies, RB team principal, via GPfans, a leading F1 fan site
“Until the next adventure.”
— Daniel Ricciardo, signing off on social media, via Formula1.com
The Honey Badger may have left the F1 grid, but his second act is anything but quiet. For Australian motorsport fans who grew up watching his shoey celebrations and daring overtakes, the choice is clear: embrace the next chapter as a post-racing career masterclass, or wait for a paddock return that may never come.
Frequently asked questions
How many Formula 1 Grands Prix did Daniel Ricciardo win?
He won 8 Grands Prix.
Why is Daniel Ricciardo called the Honey Badger?
The nickname comes from the honey badger’s reputation for tenacity and never backing down, matching Ricciardo’s aggressive on-track style.
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s shoey celebration?
After some of his race wins, Ricciardo would drink champagne or beer from his racing boot, a ritual known as a ‘shoey’.
What nationality is Daniel Ricciardo?
He is Australian, born in Perth.
How tall is Daniel Ricciardo?
Ricciardo is 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall.
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.