Ricciardo honoured with Order of Australia merit

Daniel Ricciardo has been made a Member of the Order of Australia, an honour bestowed upon the McLaren driver for his "significant service to motor sport as a competitor and ambassador and to the community".

Born in Perth in West Australia, the 32-year-old's career in Formula 1 includes eight Grand prix wins, the last of which dates back to his remarkable triumph with McLaren in last year's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

But Ricciardo's merits extend beyond his sporting achievements with the Aussie involved with several charitable associations in his home country, such as the Save the Children organization that works locally in Australia to give a voice to children and champion their rights.

• Read also - Ricciardo: Homesickness made early 2021 struggles 'a bit more tricky'

Ricciardo's appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia follows past honours handed to other distinguished Australian motorsport personalities such as Craig Lowndes, Mark Webber, Mark Skaife, Jack Brabham and Peter Brock.

Other motorsport personalities who received the prestigious accolade as part of the 2022 Australia Day Honours include Terence Bracken of Tasmania and Leslie Power of Western Australia for their "service to the motorsport industry", Kay De Luca and the late Anthony De Luca of New South Wales for "service to motoring clubs, and to the community", as well as Ian Digby from South Australia for "service to the community, and to the motor industry".

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