Daniel Ricciardo has spoken candidly about the emotional hardship following the conclusion of his Formula 1 career, revealing that he was hiding from humiliation and battling profound internal sorrow after departing the grid. The eight-time Grand Prix winner made a lasting impression on motorsport history through his joyful, radiant personality and assertive driving style, yet coming to terms with the end of his racing tenure proved difficult to process. In the months following his final outing at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, the Australian racer maintained a particularly discreet presence away from public scrutiny before detailing his private struggles during an interview on the Beyond the Grid podcast.
Reflecting on that transitional phase, Ricciardo explained that public appearances did not reflect his true mental condition. Although onlookers observed him socialising, having a drink, and seemingly enjoying himself in social gatherings, he acknowledged that he was actively fleeing from the intense hurt and sadness residing deep inside. Despite those painful feelings, the veteran confirmed he harbors no regrets about leaving that ruthless environment, acknowledging that his final campaigns in top-tier motorsport had grown difficult to endure. While still disliking how his departure was handled, he admitted feeling gratitude toward management for making the decision to bring down the curtain on his seat, stressing that he would have no desire to still be competing today.
That exit materialised when the driver known as the Honey Badger was replaced by Liam Lawson following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, marking a muted departure through the back door. Ricciardo’s return to Faenza with AlphaTauri and VCARB in 2023 had been framed as his final opportunity to climb back toward the pinnacle of the sport. The sporting equation was stark: either deliver commanding performances to secure a path back into the senior Red Bull Racing operation alongside Max Verstappen, or fail to reach that benchmark and permanently abandon any remaining dreams of securing a championship. Ultimately, the second scenario unfolded.
The setback in Faenza represented the culmination of a troubled sequence of career moves that followed his initial departure from Red Bull at the conclusion of 2018. Despite earning recognition as an exceptionally gifted competitor famed for audacious late-braking moves and holding his own against both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, Ricciardo did not realise his dream of becoming champion. His subsequent two seasons with Renault carried a bitter taste; while he delivered strong individual performances, the French squad was unable to provide machinery capable of battling regularly at the front. A subsequent switch to McLaren in 2021 proved equally taxing, resulting in two arduous seasons spent in the shadow of Lando Norris, with a convincing triumph at Monza standing out as the solitary bright spot of his late career.
Ricciardo Proud of Career Milestones
Notwithstanding those challenging final chapters, the Perth native retains fond memories from his time in Formula 1 across 14 seasons and 257 starts. Reflecting on his achievements from what he described as a serene and balanced mindset, Ricciardo shared that looking back on his race victories can be overwhelming, yet leaves him deeply proud and astonished at everything he accomplished. Having amassed 32 podium finishes and eight grand prix victories, the Australian looks back on his legacy with enduring satisfaction.
Sources: Daniel Ricciardo se « cachait de l’humiliation » après l’arrêt de sa carrière en F1.
