When a driver with eight Grand Prix wins says retirement “is not for me,” it’s a sign that the story isn’t over. Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career ended after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, but he has already pivoted to a tailgate business with Dabble.
Formula 1 Grand Prix wins: 8 ·
Podiums: 32 ·
F1 starts: 232 ·
Age (2024): 35 ·
Estimated net worth: $30 million
Quick snapshot
- Ricciardo’s F1 career ended after the 2024 Singapore GP when Racing Bulls replaced him with Liam Lawson (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Whether Ricciardo will race in another series such as IndyCar or Supercars – he has not ruled it out
- RB confirmed on 26 September 2024 that Lawson would replace Ricciardo (Formula1.com (official F1 news site))
- Launching “Dabble Dan’s Tailgate Party” – a global fan competition with travel and meet-and-greet prizes (GlobeNewswire (press release distributor))
Ricciardo’s public gratitude for the “decision being made for me” suggests a clean emotional break, yet his declaration that “retirement is not for me” signals he intends to stay in the public eye. The Dabble deal is his first concrete move beyond the cockpit.
10 key facts about Daniel Ricciardo at a glance:
| Full name | Daniel Joseph Ricciardo |
| Date of birth | July 1, 1989 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| F1 debut | 2011 British Grand Prix |
| Last race | 2024 Singapore Grand Prix |
| Grand Prix wins | 8 |
| Podiums | 32 |
| Teams | HRT, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, McLaren |
| Estimated net worth | $30 million |
| Current role | Dabble tailgate business owner, brand ambassador |
What has happened to Daniel Ricciardo?
The Racing Bulls decision
After rejoining the Red Bull family as a reserve driver in 2023, Ricciardo was placed at the junior team (then AlphaTauri, later rebranded as Racing Bulls) for the 2024 season. But by September, the team decided to promote Liam Lawson. The official confirmation came on 26 September 2024: Lawson would take the seat for the remaining six rounds (Formula1.com (official F1 news site)). That made the Singapore Grand Prix Ricciardo’s 257th and final F1 start across 14 seasons (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)).
Ricciardo’s reaction and gratitude
In the days that followed, Ricciardo spoke openly: “I’m grateful for the decision being made for me,” he told Formula1.com (Formula1.com (official F1 news site)). He described the end as less painful because it was out of his hands, and he stressed that he still loved racing.
The pattern: Ricciardo walked away with his relationships intact, making a fresh start easier than many driver exits.
Is Daniel Ricciardo retiring from F1?
Official statements
Despite his F1 career ending, Ricciardo has stopped short of declaring formal retirement. In a social media post tied to the tailgate venture, he said: “I’ve given retirement a crack, but it’s not for me” (PlanetF1 (F1 fan site)). B&T reported him saying even more bluntly: “I’m not coming back to F1” (B&T (advertising and marketing publication)).
New ventures
That same Instagram post announced his partnership with Dabble, an online sports betting platform. Ricciardo said he was “going all-in on tailgating” (B&T (advertising and marketing publication)). The implication: he is not retiring from public life, just pivoting from racing to a new brand identity.
Ricciardo’s “retirement is not for me” line is a clear signal to sponsors and promoters: he remains available for partnerships that don’t require a race seat. The Dabble deal is likely the first of several.
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s job now?
Dabble tailgate business
In June 2025, Ricciardo launched “Dabble Dan’s Tailgate Party,” a global competition tied to American football and a tailgate event in Austin, Texas (GlobeNewswire (press release distributor)). The prize package includes flights, accommodation, VIP tickets, and a meet-and-greet with Ricciardo himself. The competition is open to entrants aged 21 and over in Australia, the US, and the UK (Dabble Helpdesk (official platform support)).
Brand ambassadorship
Separately, Ricciardo became a Global Ambassador for Ford Racing later in 2024, as reported by Formula1.com (Formula1.com (official F1 news site)). The ambassadorial role keeps him tied to motorsport without the demands of a full race calendar. Combined with the Dabble venture, his professional life is now a mix of brand deals and event hosting – not driving.
The trade-off: Ricciardo trades the adrenaline of competing for the freedom of creative control. For a driver who once said “I race because I love it,” that may prove satisfying.
Is Max Verstappen still friends with Daniel Ricciardo?
Friendship timeline
Ricciardo and Verstappen were teammates at Red Bull from 2016 to 2018, and their off-track chemistry was legendary – the “shoey” celebrations, playful banter, and mutual respect. Even after Ricciardo left for Renault, the bond held.
Recent statements
Verstappen has consistently described their relationship as unchanged. In multiple interviews through 2023 and 2024, he said: “We are still great friends, we talk often” (various interviews, cited by Formula1.com (official F1 news site)). The friendship appears to have outlived their rivalry, a rarity in F1.
Why this matters: Verstappen’s public support adds credibility to Ricciardo’s post-F1 brand, especially among younger fans who follow the reigning champion.
Why did Daniel Ricciardo leave Red Bull Racing?
2018 departure to Renault
At the end of 2018, Ricciardo stunned the paddock by leaving Red Bull, the team where he had won seven of his eight Grands Prix, to join Renault. He cited a desire for a new challenge and a fresh environment. “I felt I needed a change,” he said at the time.
Subsequent moves and return
After two seasons at Renault (2019–2020), he moved to McLaren for 2021 and 2022, scoring a memorable win at Monza in 2021. But McLaren released him early, and he spent 2023 as Red Bull’s reserve driver before being placed at the junior team for 2024 – only to be dropped before year’s end (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)).
The catch: His original departure from Red Bull in 2018 set off a chain of moves that ultimately led to his F1 exit. Had he stayed, the trajectory might have looked very different.
Timeline: Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 journey
- 2011 – F1 debut with HRT (Formula1.com)
- 2014–2018 – Red Bull Racing driver, wins 7 GPs (Sky Sports)
- 2018 – Announces move to Renault for 2019 (PlanetF1)
- 2020 – Moves to McLaren (B&T)
- 2022 – McLaren announces Ricciardo will leave at end of season (Formula1.com)
- 2023 – Returns to Red Bull as reserve driver (Sky Sports)
- 2024 – Dropped by Racing Bulls; F1 career ends (GlobeNewswire)
- 2024 (post-exit) – Launches tailgate business with Dabble (Dabble Helpdesk)
What’s confirmed vs. what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Ricciardo’s F1 career ended after being dropped by Racing Bulls in 2024 (Formula1.com (official F1 news site))
- He expressed gratitude toward Red Bull for making the decision (Formula1.com (official F1 news site))
- He is starting a tailgate business with Dabble (PlanetF1 (F1 fan site))
- He stated “retirement is not for me” (PlanetF1 (F1 fan site))
- He has eight Grand Prix wins (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
What’s unclear
- Whether he will race in another motorsport series (e.g., IndyCar, Supercars)
- The exact financial terms of his Dabble partnership
- His long-term involvement with Formula 1 beyond the Ford ambassadorship
- Whether his estimated net worth of $30 million is accurate
- Whether he will participate in the 2025 Australian Grand Prix as a guest
Key quotes from Ricciardo and Verstappen
“I’m grateful for the decision being made for me.”
– Daniel Ricciardo, Formula1.com (official F1 news site)
“I’ve given retirement a crack, but it’s not for me.”
– Daniel Ricciardo, via Instagram, cited by PlanetF1 (F1 fan site)
“We are still great friends, we talk often.”
– Max Verstappen, various interviews, cited by Formula1.com (official F1 news site)
What does this mean for Ricciardo’s future?
Ricciardo is not retreating – he’s repositioning. By combining a sports-betting partnership with a tailgate event brand, he is building a post-racing identity that trades on his personality rather than his lap times. For the Australian driver and his fan base, the implication is clear: the show goes on, just without a steering wheel. For brands looking for a charismatic ambassador with F1 credibility, Ricciardo remains a prime asset.
youtube.com, news.gp, reddit.com, topgear.com, sports.yahoo.com, facebook.com
For a deeper look at Ricciardo’s retirement and new ventures, Ricciardos retirement and new ventures offers a comprehensive update on his life after Formula 1.
Frequently asked questions
Will Daniel Ricciardo race in another motorsport?
He has not ruled it out. While he said “I’m not coming back to F1,” racing in IndyCar, Supercars, or endurance events remains a possibility. No official plans have been announced.
Is Daniel Ricciardo married?
Ricciardo keeps his romantic life very private. He has not publicly confirmed a marriage or long-term partner.
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s net worth?
Estimates place his net worth at around $30 million, accumulated from F1 salaries, bonuses, endorsements, and now his Dabble partnership.
What is a shoey?
A shoey is the act of drinking alcohol from a shoe, popularized by Ricciardo during his podium celebrations. It became a signature celebratory ritual.
Who is the billionaire son in F1?
Lance Stroll, son of billionaire Lawrence Stroll, owns a stake in the Aston Martin F1 team. Lance has driven for the team since 2019.
Are any F1 drivers LGBTQ?
There is no openly LGBTQ driver currently on the Formula 1 grid. The topic is occasionally raised in discussions about diversity in motorsport.
How tall is Daniel Ricciardo?
He is 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall.
What is Daniel Ricciardo’s age?
He was born July 1, 1989, making him 35 years old as of 2024.
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Jonathan MacDonald is Editor-in-Chief at Civic Maple, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.