Daniel Ricciardo: Life After F1 and What He’s Doing Now

For a driver who spent over a decade grinning from the cockpit of F1’s fastest cars, quiet retirement never seemed like the final pit stop. Daniel Ricciardo’s 2024 exit from the grid wasn’t a slow coast into the sunset — it was a handbrake turn into something entirely new. Today, the Honey Badger is trading racing suits for founder’s hoodies, building a tailgate empire, and proving that life after F1 can be just as loud.

F1 starts: 232 · Grand Prix wins: 8 · Podiums: 32 · Nickname: Honey Badger · Years active in F1: 2011–2024

The six snapshot facts below cover Ricciardo’s career timeline, business pivot, and the key numbers that defined his F1 legacy.

What has happened to Daniel Ricciardo?

F1 Career End at Racing Bulls

The decision that closed Ricciardo’s F1 chapter came from Red Bull’s management, not from the driver himself. After a challenging 2024 season with Racing Bulls, the team replaced him with Liam Lawson following the Singapore Grand Prix — his 232nd and final F1 start (Formula 1 (official F1 governing body)).

“They made the decision for me, but they handled it in a way that I’m grateful for.”

— Daniel Ricciardo, Formula1.com

Gratitude Toward Red Bull

Despite the abrupt end, Ricciardo has publicly acknowledged Red Bull’s transparent handling of the situation. In interviews following the announcement, he emphasized that the organization gave him clarity and support during a difficult transition (Formula 1 (official F1 governing body)).

What job is Daniel Ricciardo doing now?

Founder of Enchanté

Ricciardo launched Enchanté in 2023 as a lifestyle apparel brand that he describes as a “creative outlet away from racing” reflecting his personality and cheekiness (LinkedIn (professional profile)). The brand’s name — French for “charmed” or “delighted” — plays off Ricciardo’s effervescent public persona, and it has since become the foundation of his post-F1 identity.

Tailgate Business with Dabble

In June 2025, Ricciardo announced a partnership with social betting platform Dabble to create “Dabble Dan’s Tailgate Service,” a fan-first tailgate experience (GlobeNewswire (press release distribution)). The service offered fans in Australia, the US, and the UK the chance to tailgate with Ricciardo himself during the 2025 Texas football season.

“I’ve traded pit stops for pork ribs. I’m going all-in on tailgating.”

— Daniel Ricciardo, Dabble announcement

Ricciardo also lists himself as founder of DR3 Wines on his professional profile (LinkedIn (professional profile)), rounding out a portfolio that spans apparel, beverages, and live experiences.

Has Daniel Ricciardo retired from F1?

Official Retirement Status

Ricciardo has not officially retired from all forms of racing. His F1 career formally ended in 2024 — Frontstretch reported that he called an end to his racing career at age 36 (Frontstretch (motorsport analysis site)), but that statement appears tied specifically to full-time F1 competition, not to racing in other series.

Future in Motorsports

Ricciardo’s role as a Global Ambassador for Ford Racing keeps him connected to the motorsport ecosystem without a full-time driver’s seat (Formula 1 (official F1 governing body)). He has not ruled out a return to racing in a different capacity — perhaps in sports cars or off-road events — but as of early 2026, no official driver contract has been announced.

What is Daniel Ricciardo doing in 2026?

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Ricciardo’s 2026 calendar is anchored by the Enchanté x Ford Racing collaboration, teased for release on January 15, 2026 — the same day Red Bull and Racing Bulls are set to reveal their 2026 F1 cars (Speedcafe (motorsport news outlet)). Yahoo Sports reported that the capsule was framed as a natural fit between the 2023 brand and the Ford Racing partnership announced in September 2025 (Yahoo Sports (sports news platform)).

Square’s March 2026 press material noted that Enchanté had already executed a successful Daytona 500 capsule, building momentum for the brand’s third year (Square (payments & commerce platform)).

Possible Return to Racing

Ricciardo has left the door open. “Retirement doesn’t suit me” remains his consistent line. If an opportunity in endurance racing, GT competition, or a one-off Supercars appearance materializes, it would align with both his public statements and his Ford Racing affiliation.

Is Max Verstappen still friends with Daniel Ricciardo?

Relationship History at Red Bull

Ricciardo and Verstappen were teammates at Red Bull Racing from 2016 to 2018, a period that produced some of the most competitive intra-team battles in F1. Their relationship was characterized by mutual respect and on-track rivalry (Formula 1 (official F1 governing body)).

Current Friendship Status

The two have maintained a positive relationship. Verstappen has publicly supported Ricciardo following his F1 exit, and both have spoken warmly about their shared history. While they no longer compete on the same grid, the friendship has persisted beyond their Red Bull tenure.

The implication: Ricciardo’s exit from the Red Bull family driver program did not sever the personal bond. For fans, the Verstappen-Ricciardo dynamic remains a rare example of a competitive F1 pairing that translated into genuine post-career friendship.

What is Daniel Ricciardo’s net worth and career overview?

Ricciardo Net Worth

Ricciardo’s estimated net worth — while not officially confirmed — is widely cited in the range of $30-40 million, accumulated through F1 salary, endorsements, and now business ventures. No official public disclosure exists, and estimates should be treated as speculative.

Wins and Career Highlights

Across 232 Grand Prix starts, Ricciardo secured 8 wins and 32 podiums (Formula 1 (official F1 governing body)). His most dominant period came at Red Bull Racing between 2014 and 2018, where he earned 7 of his 8 victories.

Age and Height

Born on July 1, 1989, Ricciardo is 35 years old as of 2025. He stands 1.78 meters (5 feet 10 inches) tall.

Personal Life: Wife

Ricciardo is not married. He has been in a long-term relationship with Heidi Berger, daughter of former F1 driver Gerhard Berger. The couple has kept their relationship largely private.

The Shoey Tradition

Ricciardo popularized the “shoey” — drinking champagne or other beverages from a racing boot — as a podium celebration. The tradition became one of his most recognizable trademarks and continues to appear in his post-F1 brand content.

Who are the other notable F1 personalities?

Who is the billionaire son in F1?

Lance Stroll is frequently referred to as the “billionaire son” of F1. His father, Lawrence Stroll, is a Canadian billionaire who led a consortium to purchase the Aston Martin F1 team in 2020. Lance Stroll has driven for the team since its rebranding and is one of the wealthiest drivers on the grid by family background.

Who is the lowest paid F1 driver?

Salary figures vary season to season and are often not fully disclosed. Among the 2024 grid, rookie drivers and those late in lower-tier teams typically earn the lowest base salaries — estimates place some rookie contracts in the $1-2 million range, compared to top-tier drivers earning $30-40 million or more.

Are any F1 drivers LGBTQ?

As of early 2026, no current F1 driver has publicly come out as LGBTQ. The sport has faced criticism for its lack of visible LGBTQ representation among active drivers, though several teams have participated in Pride initiatives and the FIA has stated its commitment to inclusivity.

Career timeline

• 2011: F1 debut with HRT (Formula 1 (official F1 governing body))
• 2014-2018: Red Bull Racing years, multiple wins
• 2019-2020: Renault F1 Team
• 2021-2022: McLaren F1
• 2023-2024: Return to Red Bull family with Racing Bulls
• Late 2024: Removed from Racing Bulls seat, F1 career ends (Formula 1 (official F1 governing body))
• 2025: Launches Enchanté and Dabble Dan’s Tailgate Service (GlobeNewswire (press release distribution))
• 2026: Enchanté x Ford Racing capsule, continued business expansion (Speedcafe (motorsport news outlet))

The eight-time Grand Prix winner has since shifted his focus to building Enchanté, a tailgate venture that offers a curated look at life after Formula One.

Frequently asked questions