Last month marked two years since Daniel Ricciardo’s last motor race, as the eight-time grand prix winner discreetly bowed out of Formula 1. Ricciardo admits his F1 career is likely over, saying he’s “90% there” on closure, but he remains open to opportunities that don’t require a season-long commitment.
“I would have said, ‘I will never put a helmet on again,’ a year ago,” Ricciardo told the Beyond The Grid podcast. “But there is something there where I’m like, it would be nice to finish a racing career a bit more on my terms… Maybe that’s the last bit of closure I need.” The thought of a full championship doesn’t excite him, but a one-off like Le Mans appeals.
Ricciardo explained he never enjoyed driving all that much and mostly revelled in competition, though his last few years in F1 dampened his enthusiasm. Le Mans could offer a new path to fulfillment, but the Australian, who hasn’t trained the way he used to, is cautious.
He also expressed interest in sharing a car with former Red Bull teammates, including Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, who tested Porsche’s 963 in 2024. Ricciardo acknowledged the challenge of balancing nostalgia with genuine motivation, asking: “Would I go to Le Mans just to be there, or would I go there to try and win?”
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing