Daniel Ricciardo has tantalisingly teased that he may return to the world of racing in the future, following his retirement from Formula 1 in 2024.
Ricciardo’s F1 tenure came to an abrupt end after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, dropped by Racing Bulls following a below-par comeback following McLaren dropping him at the end of 2022.
The infamous scenes of Ricciardo sat in his cockpit watching the fireworks after the race became synonymous with his departure, a disappointing end to an illustrious career.
His life away from the circuit has involved relaxing on his Australian farm, but still keeps himself involved in the racing world, with a role as Brand Ambassador for Ford.
Reflecting on the decision to stop racing, Ricciardo revealed the emotions he felt at the end of his career, and his changing mindset.
“At the end of my career, I was like, ‘Why do I love it?’ And I just wanted to remove myself for a bit,” Ricciardo said on Daly’s Speed Street podcast.
“But I think going to other races kind of rebuilt a healthy relationship with it.”
Could Daniel Ricciardo race again?
On the subject of returning to racing, Ricciardo teased that this could be on the cards, but not in the short term.
Asked about future plans to return to the cockpit on one series or another, he added: “Never say never. I’m really enjoying not competing where I currently sit, and just enjoying the small things in life, and not having to kind of be on a stage and all that.
“Do I know what I’ll feel in three years, five years? No.
“If I was to do something maybe one day, it would definitely be more from a fun aspect than, like, ‘I’m chasing some championship’ aspect.
“I don’t need to hold a trophy in something. I don’t need this for myself. Sometimes that can take the enjoyment out of racing.
“It’s a balance, because you want to have goals, and that’s obviously what gives you that purpose in the morning. To wake up and push yourself and get in the gym and all that.
“But sometimes that can also rob some of the joy from it.”
“I just want to make sure if I was to ever do something again, it’s just joyful, and I don’t have to prove anything or try to be the best.
“I just want to have some fun with it.”
Ricciardo remains a fan favourite in F1, and a return would be big news. But the Australian is aware that a return to racing in any series would need to be for the right reasons.
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