Daniel Ricciardo hasn’t raced in Formula 1 since Singapore 2024. That final Grand Prix closed the book on a career that spanned 257 starts, 8 wins, 32 podiums and more than 1,300 points. But the story hasn’t stopped. It’s just shifted lanes.
He still smiles the same. But the schedule? Totally different.
No more airport sprints. No setup meetings. No media scrums outside a motorhome. These days, Ricciardo turns up when he wants to. Mostly low-key events or the occasional karting weekend. The rest of the time, he’s off the grid. Literally.
From circuits to silence
His old routine revolved around back-to-backs, sim sessions and stopwatch pressure. Now it’s slower. Clearer. He’s been hiking. Alaska was a recent escape. Just trees, wind and time. No cameras. No checklists.
That quiet has made room for everything racing used to crowd out. Coffee with mates. Long family dinners. Proper conversations. A chance to reconnect with life outside the paddock.
“I’ve been figuring out who I am beyond being a racing driver,” he said. “I’ve always been so driven and that can make you selfish. Now I’m learning to be more selfless and to listen more.”
Training on his own terms
F1 fitness is brutal. Everything’s built around weight targets, diet cycles and performance numbers. That’s gone now. He’s lifting again, not for lap time but for himself.
No weigh-ins. No thresholds. Just strength.
He’s even cooking. Not chef-level stuff by his own admission, but enough to slow things down and enjoy the process. That’s where he’s at. Still structured, still curious, but with space to breathe.
Still racing, just differently
Ricciardo hasn’t walked away from motorsport. He’s just gone back to where it started – karting.
At nine, he joined the Tiger Kart Club in Perth. From there it was national, then international karting. In 2015, he launched the Ricciardo Kart brand to give young drivers a similar entry point. Four years later came the Daniel Ricciardo Series (DRS), a spec championship where every kart is equal and the racing does the talking.
Drivers as young as eight can get involved through the Arrive n Drive programme. The aim is simple. Keep costs down and talent front and centre. Ricciardo still shows up to races, signs autographs, chats with families and watches kids chase their own dream.
It’s pure. It’s competitive. It’s inclusive and it’s his way of giving something back.
Back in the paddock on his terms
He’s not chasing a comeback. But he hasn’t disappeared either.
In 2025, Ricciardo’s Enchanté fashion label returned to Formula 1 in a new role. Partnering with VCARB and F1 Academy driver Rafaela Ferreira for the Miami Grand Prix, the deal put Enchanté branding on Ferreira’s kit and car, plus a limited-edition apparel line for fans.
“Enchanté has always come from a place of fun,” Ricciardo said. “Look good, feel good.”
It’s not just branding. It’s personal. Ricciardo was dropped by VCARB after Singapore to make way for Liam Lawson’s run. The team gave him a guard of honour, but the call stung. Reuniting with them through Enchanté says a lot about how he moves forward. Always with humour. Never with drama.
Ferreira was just as enthusiastic. “I love the vibe Enchanté brings. It gives me confidence at the track,” she said.
Beyond the paddock
There’s more on the table. Ricciardo’s wine label, DR3, has matured well beyond a side project. What began as a personal collaboration with St Hugo is now a full-fledged brand. Multiple vintages, retail rollouts, collector formats, and his own red blend, Ric Red. It’s not a one-off or a celebrity co-sign. It’s quietly become part of who he is outside the paddock.
And that’s the point. Nothing about this next chapter feels rushed or performative. Whether it’s karting, fashion, winemaking, or just stepping back from the spotlight, Ricciardo is building a life on his own terms.
Where he is now
He doesn’t miss the stopwatch. He doesn’t need a press release to stay relevant. And he’s not trying to prove anything.
Ricciardo’s still in the sport. Just not on the grid. And for now, that suits him just fine.