Daniel Ricciardo Ends F1 Career to Become Ford Racing Ambassador: A New Chapter Begins

End of an Era in Formula 1

Daniel Ricciardo, one of the most celebrated F1 drivers of the last decade with eight F1 wins in a 13-year stint, made his 257th and final Formula 1 start at last September’s Singapore Grand Prix. The 35-year-old was replaced by Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls for the final races of 2024.

A Career of Highs and Recent Challenges

Ricciardo’s most successful period came during his five-year stint with Red Bull between 2014 and 2018, where he secured all but one of his eight career victories. He later made a surprising move to Renault in 2018, before joining McLaren in 2021. At McLaren, he achieved a memorable victory at the Italian Grand Prix, ending the team’s nine-year winless streak.

His final season saw him joining Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri), replacing Nyck de Vries. However, his comeback was complicated by a broken hand injury in the Netherlands, and he struggled to match teammate Yuki Tsunoda’s pace, leading to his departure with six rounds remaining in the season.

New Chapter as Ford Racing Ambassador

After finishing 17th in the standings with 12 points and unable to secure a contract for 2025 or 2026, Ricciardo retired from motor racing in September 2025 at the age of 36, transitioning to a new role as an ambassador for Ford Racing.

Since the conclusion of his F1 career, Ricciardo has maintained a low profile, with his last Instagram post dating back to December 17. However, he recently broke his social media silence to announce the launch of a new rosé wine called ‘Enchanté’, marking the beginning of his post-racing ventures.

Legacy in Formula 1

Ricciardo leaves behind a unique legacy in F1, remembered not only for his racing achievements but also for his iconic ‘shoey’ celebration, which saw him drinking champagne from his race boot on the podium. His departure marks the end of an era for one of Formula 1’s most charismatic personalities.