F1 news, updates: Daniel Ricciardo breaks silence with major update on life after walking away from F1 after Red Bull axing

Herald Sun

3 days ago

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Aussie superstar Daniel Ricciardo has opened up about his struggles post-F1 career, revealing he has had to find out who he is away from being a driver.
Ricciardo's F1 exit came without a farewell lap and, in many respects, dignity, unceremoniously dumped from Red Bull's second team almost a year ago, to make space for Liam Lawson's six-race audition.
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It brought an end to Ricciardo's 14 years on the Formula 1 grid, and since then, the Aussie says he has been struggling to find his new identity.
Headlining Ray White's Connect conference on Monday, when Ricciardo was asked by sports presenter Mel McLaughlin about life after F1, he said: 'Well, I haven't been shaving my face. The beard is my comfort right now.
'I had a fallout with my barber and then I lost my razor. It's been a tough six months.'
The 36-year-old then got serious, saying he realised his drive for F1 success made him somewhat 'selfish' and, since being axed from Red Bull, has been working hard to find himself and focus on what really matters in life.
'I've lived this crazy, high-speed life for so long, and I just sat into a little bit of stillness. I suddenly wasn't always surrounded by a tonne of people giving their opinions and thoughts,' Ricciardo continued.
Daniel Ricciardo has provided a major update on his life after F1. Image: Instagram/Getty
'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.'
Ricciardo also opened up about his childhood and what ultimately led him to become a driver.
'Childhood was great. I was always driven to do something that scared me a bit. The reason I got into racing was that no one was really doing it. It was my chance to do something a little bit cooler than everyone else,' the Aussie said.
'I was just showing off, but showing off has got me to a really good place in life.'
Daniel Ricciardo at Ray White Connect 2025.
Ricciardo remains a hugely popular figure, but sounds resigned to the fact that his time on the F1 grid is over.
Earlier this year, Ricciardo gave an emotional farewell to fans in the seventh season of Netflix's Drive to Survive.
One of the original breakout stars of the documentary, he famously called Netflix a 'bunch of c****' in the first season, endearing himself to a whole new legion of F1 fans, particularly in America.
Wearing casual clothes and sipping a glass of whisky, Ricciardo addressed his F1 axing, saying: 'This is it'.
'I never thought I would have this career. I never thought I'd be here, you know? That's the truth,' he said.
'Yes, my dream was to be world champion, and there were years along the way where I genuinely felt like it was gonna happen.
'I got close, that's OK. If I were a world champion sitting here today, would it change how I feel or how I view myself, or anything like that? I don't think so.
'Maybe my ego would be big. We don't want that. I have no regrets.'
Ricciardo left the F1 grid with eight race wins, 32 podiums and three pole positions. He also twice finished on the season's podium in the Drivers' standings in 2014 and 2016.
Originally published as 'Tough six months': Daniel Ricciardo breaks silence with major update after Red Bull axing