Daniel Ricciardo has declined to dismiss the possibility of returning to competitive racing in the future, though he made it clear that any such move would be motivated by pure passion rather than a quest for championship glory.
The Australian driver exited Formula 1 abruptly following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, where he was replaced at Racing Bulls by Liam Lawson. Since then, Ricciardo has reflected on his departure and opened up about the potential to race again in another series during a guest appearance on American driver Conor Daly’s “Speed Street” podcast.
“Toward the end of my career, I started asking myself why I truly loved it. I needed to step away for a while,” Ricciardo shared. “But visiting other races has helped me rebuild a healthier relationship with motorsport.”
When asked directly about a return to professional racing, the eight-time Grand Prix winner added: “Never say never. Right now, I’m genuinely enjoying life without competing—just savoring the small moments and not being in the spotlight all the time. Do I know how I’ll feel in three or five years? No. If I ever do something again, it would definitely be more about having fun than chasing a championship.”
“I don’t need to win a trophy or prove anything to myself,” he continued. “Sometimes that pressure can strip the joy out of racing. It’s a balance—you want goals to give you purpose, to get you out of bed and into the gym. But that same drive can also steal some of the fun. If I ever race again, I want it to be joyful, without the burden of needing to be the best. Just pure enjoyment.”
Since leaving F1, Ricciardo has focused on expanding his Enchanté brand and taken on a role as a brand ambassador for Ford.