Daniel Ricciardo has opened up about his life post-Formula 1, revealing that he has been on a journey of “self-exploration” now that he is no longer racing.
Ricciardo’s seesawing career in F1 came to an end last September when he was replaced for the remainder of the season at RB in favour of New Zealand driver Liam Lawson.
His axing closed the curtains on a 14-year career in the sport, which included eight grand prix victories and 32 podiums from his 257 race starts.
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Daniel Ricciardo has been living his life since his F1 exit, experiencing “stillness”. Getty/ Instagram
Following his split with the Red Bull Racing program, he has not raced anything since.
Headlining real estate group Ray White’s Connect conference on the Gold Coast while sporting a thick bushy beard, Ricciardo admitted the career change had been an adjustment.
“Well, I haven’t been shaving my face. The beard is my comfort right now,” he quipped on Monday.
“I had a fallout with my barber and then I lost my razor. It’s been a tough six months.”
Stepping away from the constant demands of his racing career, Ricciardo admitted that he has had time to himself, away from the opinions of others, to figure out who he truly is.
“I’ve lived this crazy, high-speed life for so long, and I just sat into a little bit of stillness. I suddenly wasn’t always surrounded by a tonne of people giving their opinions and thoughts,” he said.
Daniel Ricciardo during last yera’s Singapore Grand Prix weekend. Mark Thompson via Getty Images
“I’ve had a lot of time, I’ve done some hiking. I was in Alaska a few weeks ago and didn’t get mauled by a grizzly, which was a bonus.
“I’ve been trying to figure out who I am other than this race car driver.
“I’ve come to appreciate the little things more and the meaning of the importance of family and friends.
“I’ve always been driven, and that sometimes leads you to being selfish, so I’m trying to learn to be a bit more selfless and become a better listener.”
Ricciardo remains a hugely popular figure, particularly in Australia and the United States, as he was a central figure in the Netflix series Drive to Survive.
However, the West Australian has since kept a relatively low profile.
While he has been seen at promotional events for his brand Enchanté, as well as his own karting series in the UK, he has been taking time to travel and hike.
Ricciardo does not anticipate a return to the grid, previously indicating that he is moving on from F1.
While Ricciardo had been linked to a potential comeback with the new Cadillac team in 2026, team principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed that the 36-year-old has “publicly said that he’s not interested in Formula 1”.