Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career ended the way it often ran – full of personality, a few highlight‑reel moves, and one very steady friendship. The official record is simple: eight grand prix wins, thirty‑two podiums, and a reputation that never needed a championship.
Daniel Ricciardo after F1: The friendship that outlasted the rivalry
Career Highlights
- 8 Grand Prix wins (Formula1.com)
- 32 podiums (Formula1.com)
- 14 F1 seasons (Formula1.com)
Post‑F1 Life
- Founder of Enchanté lifestyle brand (Crash.net)
- Continues brand‑appearance work (ReportDesk UK)
Personal Background
- Born in Perth, Australia (Formula1.com)
- Full name: Daniel Joseph Ricciardo (Formula1.com)
Friendship
- Remains close with Max Verstappen (Formula1.com)
Grand Prix Wins 8 · Podium Finishes 32 · F1 Seasons 14
Why Daniel Ricciardo left F1 (the short version)
Ricciardo did not retire with a farewell championship. He simply ran out of seats. Crash.net, the motorsport news outlet that covers the paddock race by race, now refers to him plainly as an “ex‑F1 teammate.” That label came into focus when Ricciardo made a rare public appearance at a Red Bull event alongside Verstappen.
The deeper reason for the exit is less dramatic than the headlines. Ricciardo’s final seasons did not produce the results the sport demands from a top seat. By the time his last full campaign ended, ReportDesk UK, a celebrity‑and‑lifestyle website, described his post‑F1 life as a “retirement” from the sport. No scandal. No blow‑up. Just a driver and a sport that quietly moved on.
What Daniel Ricciardo is doing now
Ricciardo has not disappeared. The same ReportDesk UK report says his post‑F1 schedule is filled with business appearances, sponsorship work, and the kind of lifestyle events that keep a familiar face in view. He is, in other words, building a second career out of the personality that made him one of F1’s most marketable drivers.
It is worth noting what this article does not confirm: a specific net worth figure, a signed business deal, or a long‑term media contract. The verified research file behind this piece does not contain a reliable number for Ricciardo’s wealth. Most of the figures circulating online are recycled guesses, so they do not belong in a fact‑based brief.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel Joseph Ricciardo |
| F1 seasons | 14 |
| Wins | 8 |
| Podiums | 32 |
| Years as Verstappen’s teammate | 2016–2018 |
| Last race | 2024 Singapore Grand Prix |
| Current F1 status | Ex‑F1 driver |
| Reported relationship status | Single / not publicly linked (unverified) |
The pattern: Ricciardo’s second act is built on visibility, not racing.
Friends first, rivals second: Ricciardo and Verstappen
Every great driving rivalry gets tested by contact. Ricciardo and Verstappen had theirs in Baku in 2018, when the two Red Bull drivers came together on track. The official sport’s website, Formula1.com, acknowledges the flashpoint. But that same report keeps coming back to the friendship.
“…friendship, with a lot of respect for each other.”
— Max Verstappen, on his relationship with Ricciardo
Ricciardo has been just as open. In a separate Formula1.com piece, he revealed which teammate checked in when life off‑track got hard:
“He was one of the only guys to text me during a difficult period.”
— Daniel Ricciardo, on Verstappen
That detail matters. In a sport where former teammates often drift apart, this friendship has its own documentation. Crash.net’s report on the “rare Red Bull reunion” treats the pair’s continuing bond as the story. They no longer race each other for positions, which may be exactly why the friendship got stronger.
Is Max Verstappen still friends with Daniel Ricciardo?
Yes. Both drivers have publicly stated they remain close. The quotes above, from Formula1.com, confirm ongoing contact and mutual respect.
Ricciardo vs. Verstappen: a scorecard
The table below compares their shared timeline and current status.
| Measure | Ricciardo | Verstappen |
|---|---|---|
| Red Bull teammate years | 2016–2018 | 2016–2018 |
| On‑track flashpoint | Baku, 2018 | Baku, 2018 |
| Current F1 status | Ex‑F1 driver | Current Red Bull driver |
| Public description of each other | “One of the only guys to text me” | “A lot of respect” |
What this means: even after leaving the grid, Ricciardo retains the respect of the sport’s dominant driver.
Confirmed vs. rumored: what we actually know
The internet loves a clean narrative. The evidence here is messier, so let’s separate it.
Confirmed by multiple, reliable accounts
- Ricciardo and Verstappen were Red Bull teammates from 2016 to 2018. Formula1.com
- Ricciardo is no longer a full‑time F1 driver. Crash.net
- Verstappen texted Ricciardo during a difficult period. Formula1.com
- The two remain close friends. Formula1.com
Reported but not independently confirmed
- Relationship status: ReportDesk UK says Ricciardo “has been linked to no one” and appears single. That is a celebrity‑site claim, not a formal statement.
- Post‑F1 business focus: The same report describes brand appearances and business interests. Likely true, but the exact portfolio is not verified.
- Net worth: No reliable figure exists in the verified record. Treat the viral numbers as unverified.
Is Daniel Ricciardo single now?
According to the “reported but not confirmed” list above, he is publicly linked to no one. No verified source has confirmed a current relationship or marriage.
Did Daniel Ricciardo come from a wealthy family?
No verified documentation exists in this article. Public interviews (not cited here) suggest a modest background, but this article does not contain a sourced claim about his family’s finances.
Which F1 driver has the richest family?
This article focuses solely on Ricciardo. Comparisons to other drivers’ wealth are not covered here. For that information, refer to dedicated driver‑profile resources.
The timeline: from Red Bull to the rare reunion
- 2016 – 2018: Ricciardo and Verstappen are Red Bull teammates. Formula1.com
- 2018: The pair collide in Baku; the friendship survives the contact. Formula1.com
- After his final F1 season: Ricciardo exits the grid; reports describe the move as a “retirement.” ReportDesk UK
- Recently: Ricciardo appears at a Red Bull event with Verstappen, prompting the “rare reunion” headline. Crash.net
The bottom line
Ricciardo’s F1 career never delivered the championship the romantics hoped for. It did deliver something more durable: a friendship that survived a collision, a rivalry, and the awkward transition out of the sport. If Verstappen’s own words are the measure, Ricciardo gained more than wins in Formula 1. He gained the respect of the one driver who usually gives those words out sparingly.
The consequence: Ricciardo leaves the sport with a legacy built on personality and connection, not trophies.
Related reading
formula1.com, f1i.com, reportdesk.uk, express.co.uk, gpfans.com, gpblog.com, si.com, dailymail.co.uk, si.com, the-express.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Daniel Ricciardo retired from racing?
He is not a full‑time F1 driver as of 2025, but he has not announced a formal retirement from all racing. He remains active in appearances and brand work.
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s net worth?
No verified figure exists in this article. Public estimates vary and are not sourced here.
Does Daniel Ricciardo have a girlfriend?
His relationship status is not publicly confirmed. ReportDesk UK claims he is single, but that is an unverified celebrity‑site report.
What is the shoey tradition?
A celebratory act of drinking from a shoe, popularized by Ricciardo after race wins. It is not a formal part of his post‑F1 career.
Where does Daniel Ricciardo live now?
His current residence has not been independently verified. He was based in Monaco during his F1 career.
Is Daniel Ricciardo coming back to racing?
No official announcement or verified source indicates a return to competitive racing. He has not signed a contract with any series.
This article is compiled from the public reporting listed above. It is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, or the Formula 1 companies mentioned.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.