If you’ve ever watched a Grand Prix podium, you’ve probably seen a shoey—Daniel Ricciardo’s signature celebration. But the man behind the shoey has traded the track for a quieter life: building businesses, spending time with family, and embracing retirement on his own terms after his F1 career ended in 2024.
Age: 35 (born July 1, 1989) ·
F1 Wins: 8 ·
F1 Podiums: 32 ·
F1 Starts: 232 ·
Nationality: Australian
Quick snapshot
- Whether he will ever return to racing (MotorsportWeek)
- Exact details of his net worth (no public source) (MotorsportWeek)
- Current relationship status (private) (MotorsportWeek)
- 1989: Born in Perth, Australia
- 2011: F1 debut with HRT
- 2014: First F1 win (Canadian GP)
- 2024: Career ends at Singapore GP
The table below summarizes Daniel Ricciardo’s key biographical data.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel Joseph Ricciardo |
| Date of birth | July 1, 1989 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| F1 debut | 2011 (HRT) |
| F1 wins | 8 (source Wikipedia) |
| F1 podiums | 32 |
| F1 starts | 232 |
What has happened to Daniel Ricciardo?
End of a Formula One career
After 232 Grands Prix, 8 wins, and 32 podiums across six teams, Daniel Ricciardo’s time in Formula 1 came to an abrupt end. Red Bull announced on September 26, 2024, that he would be replaced by Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls for the remaining races of the season (Associated Press, news agency). The decision followed a challenging season where the Australian struggled to match his teammate Yuki Tsunoda consistently.
Ricciardo later revealed that he was relieved the call was made for him. “I’m grateful Red Bull made the decision for me,” he told Formula 1.
Replacement at Racing Bulls
New Zealander Liam Lawson took over the RB seat from the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix onward. Lawson had already impressed as a substitute in 2023, and his full-time promotion ended any near‑term path back for Ricciardo (Associated Press).
Has Daniel Ricciardo retired from F1?
Official retirement status
Yes—Ricciardo confirmed his full retirement from motor racing in an open letter published in 2025. The letter, covered by ESPN, stated that he was stepping away for good. The announcement coincided with news that he had signed on as Global Ford Racing Ambassador, focusing on the Raptor brand and lifestyle projects.
Reaction from the F1 community
Fellow drivers and fans shared tributes on social media. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner called Ricciardo “one of the sport’s greatest personalities” (ESPN). The paddock acknowledged his unique blend of speed and humour.
“He’s one of the sport’s greatest personalities.”
—Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal
What is Daniel Ricciardo doing now?
Tailgate business with Dabble
On Instagram, Ricciardo announced a partnership with betting platform Dabble to launch a Tailgate brand. “I’ve given retirement a crack, I’ve teamed up with Dabble,” he wrote. The move aligns with his laid‑back personality and allows him to build a commercial venture around his public profile.
Founder of Enchanté
He also founded Enchanté, a lifestyle and apparel label. The brand’s first releases sold out quickly, tapping into his fan base and his personal style.
Why did Ricciardo retire?
Performance and team decisions
The primary driver was Red Bull’s decision to replace him. According to AP News, the team felt Lawson had proven his readiness and Ricciardo’s results in 2024 did not justify retaining the seat.
Personal reflection on exit
Ricciardo said he “was grateful the decision was taken out of his hands,” per Formula1. He described the 2024 season as a long goodbye and admitted it was the right time to step away.
What is Daniel Ricciardo doing in 2026?
Post-F1 career trajectory
As of 2026, Ricciardo has not confirmed a return to any form of racing. When asked by MotorsportWeek (motorsport magazine) about a possible comeback, he said “never say never,” but added that he is enjoying life away from competition.
Potential projects and appearances
He is focusing on his Tailgate brand and Enchanté, and appears as Ford’s global ambassador at events. According to Express (British publication), he is “not in a hurry” to make new commitments.
Timeline of Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 career
- 1989 – Born in Perth, Australia (Wikipedia)
- 2011 – F1 debut with HRT (Wikipedia)
- 2014 – First Grand Prix win (Canadian GP) (Formula1)
- 2018 – Left Red Bull for Renault (Wikipedia)
- 2021 – Joined McLaren (Wikipedia)
- 2023 – Returned to Red Bull as reserve, later to Racing Bulls (Wikipedia)
- 2024 – F1 career ends after Singapore GP (AP News)
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Ricciardo is no longer an F1 driver as of 2024 (Formula 1).
- He retired from motor racing in 2025 (ESPN).
- He launched a Tailgate business with Dabble (Instagram).
- He is founder of Enchanté.
What is unclear
- Whether he will ever return to any form of racing.
- Exact figures of his net worth (estimates vary).
- His current relationship status (private).
In his own words
“I’m grateful Red Bull made the decision for me. It took the pressure off.”
—Daniel Ricciardo to Formula1
“I’ve given retirement a crack, I’ve teamed up with Dabble.”
—Daniel Ricciardo on Instagram
Ricciardo traded regular podium celebrations for a calmer life building brands. His fans lose a prime‑time personality, but Ricciardo gains time and autonomy.
Ricciardo’s exit from F1 marks the end of an era for one of the sport’s most beloved characters. Yet his story isn’t over—he’s writing the next chapter as an entrepreneur and brand ambassador. For Australian fans hoping to see the shoey again on a grands prix podium, the likely reality is that the tradition now belongs to memory. The decision to leave was not entirely his own, but he has turned it into a new beginning.
Ricciardo joins a list of Australian sports stars who have successfully transitioned to new careers, such as Cooper Cronk: Career, Retirement, and New Role at Fox Sports and Chris Judd: AFL Star to Investment Manager.
nytimes.com, nytimes.com, nytimes.com, planetf1.com, nytimes.com, motorsport.com, gpfans.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s net worth?
Estimates vary widely. Public reports suggest it is in the tens of millions, but exact figures are not confirmed.
Who is Daniel Ricciardo’s wife?
He is not married. He has kept his personal relationships private.
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s height?
He is listed at 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in).
How many F1 races did Daniel Ricciardo win?
8 Grand Prix wins (Wikipedia).
What team did Daniel Ricciardo drive for in 2024?
He drove for Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri).
What is the shoey tradition in F1?
The shoey involves a driver drinking champagne from their own race boot. Ricciardo popularised it as a podium celebration.
Is Daniel Ricciardo related to another F1 driver?
No. He is not related to any other F1 driver; the name “Ricciardo” is not shared with any F1 competitor.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.