APRIL 8, 2026
Daniel Ricciardo says being dropped from Formula 1 ultimately came as a relief after two difficult years that left him exhausted.
Daniel Ricciardo, Belgian GP 2024
© Red Bull
In an interview with Ford CEO Jim Farley, the Australian opened up about the end of his F1 career following his final stints with McLaren and a brief comeback attempt.
2022 I struggled a lot, my second year at McLaren. They let me go, Ricciardo said.
So then 2023 I started without a seat and that was like – is this maybe it? Like do I just call it now? But I knew there was still some burning desire in me.
Ricciardo, now 36, returned with Red Bull-owned Alpha Tauri mid-season, but his comeback was quickly derailed.
“I got back into the seat halfway through the season. Second race, third race in, I broke my hand and it was such a nothing accident.
“I missed however many races, I think I was out for 10 weeks or something. And I was like, okay, is this now a bit of a sign? Like should I just quit while I’m ahead?
And I was like, no, there’s still unfinished business.
However, his second stint also ended in disappointment.
I pushed through it and look, I lasted another year in F1 and then got – yeah, look, ultimately got let go. That was the reality at the time.
Looking back, Ricciardo admits the repeated setbacks took a heavy toll.
“I’d been let go twice in the last two years. And it had also taken a lot out of me. I’d put a lot of my soul into it and I did feel pretty exhausted by it.
In reflection, I was grateful that they made the decision for me.
The eight-time grand prix winner says he had already begun to recognise his level was slipping.
“I think I knew I was probably done because I knew that it was harder for me to perform at the level I could.
Alonso, these guys, are still in their 40s in F1, competing very highly. For whatever reason, I lost a little bit of something and it’s okay to admit it. It’s fine.
(GMM)