News Summary

Daniel Ricciardo has opened up about the emotional impact of his Formula 1 exit, revealing that he initially struggled with feelings of failure and humiliation after his career came to an abrupt end in 2024. Two years after his final Grand Prix, however, the Australian says he can now look back on his achievements with pride.

Speaking on the latest episode of the official F1 Beyond The Grid podcast, released on Wednesday, October 28, Ricciardo reflected on the months following his departure from the grid. He explained that his demanding approach to racing also made him particularly harsh on himself when results failed to meet his expectations.

“I think that my view of it was [that I was] failing,” Ricciardo said, describing how he felt unable to perform at the level he expected of himself or finish the season on his own terms.

The former Red Bull and McLaren driver also admitted that his public appearances did not reflect what he was experiencing privately. Although he sometimes appeared to be enjoying himself, he said he was struggling with pain and sadness as he came to terms with losing the career he had pursued since childhood.

2024 was Ricciardo’s last season in F1 (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)

Ricciardo left Formula 1 after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, when Racing Bulls decided to replace him with Liam Lawson for the remainder of the season. His departure brought an end to a career that began with HRT in 2011 and included eight Grand Prix victories and 32 podium finishes.

Ricciardo admits he had considered quitting before F1 exit

Although his final departure came through a team decision, Ricciardo revealed that he had contemplated walking away from the sport on previous occasions.

The Australian recalled a conversation with his team after the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix, when he admitted that he no longer wanted to continue racing. He also identified Silverstone in 2015 as another moment when he considered stepping away.

Ricciardo explained that the encouragement he received from people around him sometimes made it difficult to distinguish between their expectations and his own desire to keep competing. He questioned whether he would ever have decided to stop if teams had continued offering him contracts.

The driver had already experienced a difficult period at McLaren, where he struggled to match teammate Lando Norris before leaving the team at the end of 2022. He subsequently returned to the Red Bull family, initially as a reserve driver, before rejoining the grid with AlphaTauri in 2023.

Ricciardo struggled with Racing Bulls (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)

Despite finding another opportunity in Formula 1, Ricciardo’s comeback ultimately ended after a challenging 2024 campaign. He acknowledged that he had invested so much of himself in racing that accepting the end of his career was emotionally exhausting.

Ricciardo grateful for Racing Bulls decision

Despite still being unhappy with the way his Formula 1 career ended, Ricciardo said he has developed a different perspective on Racing Bulls’ decision to replace him with Lawson.

The Australian believes that, without an external decision forcing him to leave, he might have continued racing even when he was no longer certain that he wanted to. He therefore sees a positive side to the abrupt ending, as it gave him the opportunity to explore life beyond the demands of the championship.

“I still don’t like how it ended,” Ricciardo said, while acknowledging that part of him is grateful the team made the decision.

His comments reflect a shift in how he views the final chapter of his career. Rather than focusing exclusively on the disappointment of losing his seat, Ricciardo is increasingly able to appreciate the experiences and achievements that defined his time in Formula 1.

His career included memorable victories with Red Bull, particularly at the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix, the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix and the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix. He also won the 2021 Italian Grand Prix with McLaren, one of the team’s most significant victories in the modern era.

Ricciardo now looks back on F1 career with pride

Ricciardo admitted that reflecting on his achievements while he was still racing could be difficult, as he was constantly focused on the next result. Away from the pressures of competition, however, he has found it easier to appreciate what he accomplished.

The Australian said he now looks back on his career with a greater sense of balance and pride, despite the disappointment surrounding his departure.

He also acknowledged how unusual it was to have reached Formula 1 and won races at the highest level of motorsport. For a driver who grew up hoping to compete for world championships, the experience remains remarkable even in retrospect.

Ricciardo has not yet decided whether he will return to competitive racing in another category. For now, his reflections suggest that he is still working out what the next chapter of his life will look like.

While the Australian may never be entirely satisfied with how his Formula 1 career concluded, he has reached a point where the pain of his exit no longer overshadows the accomplishments that came before it.

FAQ

Why did Daniel Ricciardo leave Formula 1?

Ricciardo lost his Racing Bulls seat after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, when the team chose Liam Lawson as his replacement for the remainder of the season.

How many Formula 1 races did Daniel Ricciardo win?

Ricciardo won eight Grands Prix during his Formula 1 career, including seven victories with Red Bull and one with McLaren at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.

Is Daniel Ricciardo planning to return to racing?

Ricciardo has not confirmed plans to return to competitive racing. He has said he is still considering what he wants to do next after leaving Formula 1.