Daniel Ricciardo’s Final Chapter: From Racing Return to Retirement

The Challenging Comeback

Daniel Ricciardo’s journey took a dramatic turn during the second practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix, where he suffered a fracture to a metacarpal bone in his left hand while trying to avoid a collision with Oscar Piastri’s McLaren at turn three.

Following the incident, Ricciardo underwent surgery and received his first metalwork, sharing his progress with fans through social media. The injury forced the 34-year-old Australian to miss five races before making his return at the United States Grand Prix.

The Final Season

For the 2024 season, Ricciardo continued with the rebranded RB team (formerly AlphaTauri) alongside Yuki Tsunoda. His season began at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he qualified 14th and finished 13th, showing early signs of struggle.

The challenges continued at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he qualified 14th and finished 16th, even spinning on the last lap. His difficulties peaked at his home race, the Australian Grand Prix, where he qualified 18th after having his last qualifying lap deleted for exceeding track limits.

Transition to New Role

Following his exit from the F1 grid in 2024, Ricciardo admitted to “enjoying some life in the slow lane.” His departure came after several tumultuous years, including a difficult spell at McLaren that led to an early contract termination at the end of 2022.

Ricciardo concluded his Formula 1 career 17th in the standings with 12 points. Unable to secure a contract for 2025 or 2026, he retired from motor racing in September 2025 at the age of 36, transitioning to become an ambassador for Ford Racing.

Legacy in Formula 1

Throughout his Formula 1 career, Ricciardo achieved impressive statistics, including eight race wins, three pole positions, 17 fastest laps, and 32 podiums. Post-retirement, he has remained connected to motorsport through the Daniel Ricciardo Series, supporting young drivers competing in karting events across the United Kingdom.