‘Trying to figure out who I am’: Ricciardo’s quiet life after F1

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Former F1 star Daniel Ricciardo has revealed how stepping away from the sport has opened a new chapter of self-discovery, one far removed from the relentless pace of the paddock.

The 36-year-old Australian left the grid in the back half of last season when he was replaced at AlphaTauri – now Racing Bulls – by Liam Lawson after the Singapore Grand Prix.

His final years in F1 had been turbulent and lackluster affair: a frustrating stint at McLaren, a year on the sidelines as Red Bull’s reserve in 2023, and a stuttering comeback where he never quite regained his once-celebrated spark.

Now, Ricciardo is investing his time in ventures such as DR3 Wines and his clothing brand Enchante. More importantly, he is exploring life without the label of “Formula 1 driver.”

A Year of Self-Exploration

“Well, I haven’t been shaving my face. The beard is my comfort right now,” Ricciardo told an audience at the Ray White Connect conference on the Gold Coast in his native Australia.

“This year has been a bit of self-exploration. I lived this crazy high-speed life for so long and this year I’ve sat into a little bit of stillness.

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"I’ve had a lot of time, I’ve done some hiking. I was in Alaska a few weeks ago and didn’t get mauled by a grizzly, which was a bonus.

“I’ve been trying to figure out who I am other than this race car driver. I’ve come to appreciate the little things more and the meaning of the importance of family and friends.

"I’ve always been driven and that sometimes leads you to being selfish, so I’m trying to learn to be a bit more selfless and become a better listener.”

Closing the F1 Door

Despite speculation in the media linking him to Cadillac’s planned 2026 F1 entry, Ricciardo has no interest in a return. Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon made that clear during a recent High Performance Podcast.

“Yeah, actually, I think he’s publicly said that he’s not interested in Formula 1,” Lowdon said. “If I need to convince someone, then it’s the wrong person.

“You never need to convince a Formula 1 driver to jump in the car. I’ve got no problem; everyone can make their own mind up.”

For Ricciardo, that mind is now set on a different track – one with no lap times, no qualifying sessions, and no podiums. Instead, it’s a road where stillness replaces speed, and where the challenge is no longer overtaking rivals but rediscovering himself.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.