Daniel Ricciardo Ponders Future Beyond F1: From Exhaustion to Exploration

Daniel Ricciardo is uncertain about his future career path should his stint in the "demanding" world of Formula 1 conclude. "Honestly, if this chapter closes and I'm left behind, my initial step would be to take some time to decide on my next move."

Daniel Ricciardo has acknowledged that determining his future career path will require some deliberation, especially if his Formula 1 journey concludes after the recent Singapore Grand Prix.

Although Red Bull has not officially made any announcements, it is anticipated that Liam Lawson will take over Ricciardo's spot in the upcoming race at the Circuit of the Americas next month.

Following a challenging race in Singapore, the Australian participated in several comprehensive interviews, one of which was with F1 TV. During this interview, he expressed significant emotion, as it might have been his last appearance in Formula 1.

In a conversation with Sky Sports following the Singapore race, Ricciardo talked about F1 being "tiring" while considering his future options should he not secure a permanent position.

"It's tiring," he admitted. "That's a common feeling. It's just tiring. Now, if this happens to be the end and everything progresses without my involvement, my initial step would be to allow myself some time to determine the future steps. Additionally, I'm thankful for the career I've had."

"Reaching Formula 1 was beyond my wildest dreams, and to have been in it for more than ten years and compete for victories is incredible."

"I don't wish to reflect with pity on my experiences. They've been wonderful, and perhaps they represent a departure from the usual."

"Perhaps I'll proceed to ascend peaks or the like."

Ricciardo boasts a record of eight victories in Formula 1, securing a third-place finish in the championship standings twice.

Throughout his time with Red Bull and subsequently with Renault, especially in 2020, Ricciardo was consistently seen as a top performer in Formula 1.

Yet, moving to McLaren in 2021 marked a significant juncture in his professional journey, as he found it challenging to adjust to the vehicle provided by the Woking-based team.

Recalling his journey in Formula 1, Ricciardo shared a touching memory of meeting the thrice-crowned world champion, Sir Jackie Stewart.

"He reflected on how things once seemed smoother. "I recall, particularly back in 2014 here, that was the year everything changed for me. Sir Jackie Stewart approached me in the lobby once. I still remember his words to me.

He said, "Should you wish to have a conversation, reach out to me since it may not always be straightforward as it appears." Essentially, he was bracing for the tough times. At that moment, I was riding a wave of euphoria. Sure, I didn't claim the championship that year, but everything seemed to come naturally to me. I'm overstating it a bit; it wasn't simple.

"When he shared that with me, my reaction was, 'I'm doing fine, what do you mean? I'm not having a hard time. Nobody intimidates me. What's going on?'. Yet, the subsequent year, 2015, proved to be challenging. It didn't take long for me to understand his point. It's important not to let yourself get overly confident or too discouraged. Aim to maintain a steady course. Stay grounded."

Explore Further

Sign up for our Formula 1 Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive stories, interviews, and special offers from the racing world straight to your email.

Refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Site Index

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Reproducing any part or the entirety of the text, photos, or images in any manner is strictly prohibited.