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Newsweek
a day ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Daniel Ricciardo Opens Up On Post-F1 Life at Surprise Conference
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo has opened up about his life after parting ways with the sport last year. The Australian driver was interviewed at Ray White's Connect 2025 real estate conference on the Gold Coast, where he was invited as a speaker. Ricciardo has been away from the F1 scene for nearly a year now. His dream was to race alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, and as a result, he was being assessed alongside Yuki Tsunoda in Red Bull's junior F1 team, VCARB (now Racing Bulls), last year. The Australian driver embarked on his premier class career in 2011, replacing Narain Karthikeyan at HRT. He then moved to Red Bull's junior F1 team in 2012, and two years later, he was racing for Red Bull. However, a move to Renault in 2018 became a turning point in his career, as he soon parted ways with the French marque to join McLaren, a partnership that faded after two years. Ricciardo received another shot at F1 mid-2023 with VCARB, where he raced for one year alongside his Japanese teammate, Tsunoda, who outperformed him on most race weekends. Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB walks in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024 in... Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB walks in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. MoreVCARB was left with no option but to part ways with him after the Singapore Grand Prix. Following his departure from the team, the 36-year-old driver made it clear that he was "done with F1" and has since been exploring life in the slow lane. When asked at the real estate conference about life after F1, Ricciardo said: "Well I haven't been shaving my face. The beard is my comfort right now. 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. "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 thing 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 revealed what pushed him to pursue a racing career. He said: "Childhood was great. I was always driven to do something that scared me a bit. The reason I got into racing was because no one was really doing it. It was my chance to do something a little bit cooler than everyone else. I was just showing off, but showing off has got me to a really good place in life."
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Red Bull Insider: Daniel Ricciardo 'Affected By The Success' In F1
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard has named Daniel Ricciardo as an example of a driver who couldn't keep up with the shifting scenario in Formula One, which ultimately led to his ousting from Racing Bulls. Ricciardo began his premier class racing career in 2011, replacing Narain Karthikeyan at HRT. In 2012, he moved to Red Bull's junior F1 team, Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls). His impressive performance earned him a promotion to Red Bull two years later, where he outperformed his then-world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel. However, with the shift in regulations that saw the introduction of V6 hybrid power units in 2014, Red Bull's form dropped considerably. 2016 saw the arrival of Max Verstappen at Red Bull, and Ricciardo fared well with the Dutch driver. However, in 2018, Ricciardo parted ways with Red Bull to join Renault, only to leave the team and join McLaren eventually. The Australian driver parted ways with McLaren after two years, which paved the way for his exit from F1. Although the 2023 season saw him return to the sport with Racing Bulls (then AlphaTauri), his lackluster performance the following year led to his exit after the Singapore Grand Prix. Ricciardo has since stated that he won't be returning to the sport. Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB F1 team looks on in the paddock after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024... Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB F1 team looks on in the paddock after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. MoreCoulthard, who raced for Red Bull from 2005 to 2008, explained that drivers like Ricciardo are unable to adapt to an evolving sport like F1. He said on the High Performance Podcast: "You see some drivers who evolve well. You see others who get affected by the success, and that affects their trajectory. I think Daniel Ricciardo would be an example of that. "One of the bright young talents that arrived in Formula 1, one of the best overtakers of his generation, always exciting to watch. And then just suddenly, as he left Red Bull, Renault was OK, McLaren, Lando outperformed him in both years, even though Daniel won a race. And then it never really worked out again at AlphaTauri. "Now he's happily retired, I assume wealthy individual. But it all felt like it was condensed into too short a period." When asked why Ricciardo was unable to perform after leaving Red Bull, Coulthard said: "Life, you gain baggage as you go through life. If you're poor, that's a Tesco bag with a few clothes inside. If you're rich, it's a Louis Vuitton, but it all has to be carried. "So, whether it's a baggage of wealth or whether it's baggage of success, or whether it's the baggage of poverty and difficulty, it's got to be carried to try and get to the next opportunity. "And for some people, maybe they're not able to let go and actually take themselves back to the moment that was the freest point, that saw their performances at the highest level."
Newsweek
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Cadillac F1 Team Principal Opens up About Potential Daniel Ricciardo Signing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Addressing the possibility of Daniel Ricciardo racing for the Cadillac Formula One team in 2026, team principal Graeme Lowdon has stated that the team won't be pursuing the Australian driver following his F1 exit last year. Ricciardo raced for Red Bull's junior F1 team, VCARB (now Racing Bulls), alongside Yuki Tsunoda last year. He aimed to outperform his Japanese teammate and earn a promotion to race alongside Max Verstappen. However, Tsunoda managed to outperform Ricciardo, who struggled to score points. The team decided to part ways with him after the Singapore Grand Prix. Ricciardo's term with VCARB turned out to be his last in F1. Months later, he was heard saying in a video that he was done with F1. As Cadillac gears up to race as the sport's eleventh team next year, it has been seeking suitable talent to fill both seats. The American outfit is looking for a driver with considerable premier-class racing experience, a veteran who could guide the team in its initial years. Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB F1 team looks on in the paddock after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024... Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB F1 team looks on in the paddock after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. MoreThat was when the topic of Ricciardo came up, prompting Lowdon to rule him out as an option. Speaking to Jake Humphrey on the High Performance Podcast, the Cadillac team boss said: "Yeah, actually, I think he's publicly said that he's not interested in Formula 1." When asked if he would consider changing Ricciardo's mind, Lowdon said: "It's not my job. 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." Lowdon revealed that he was less keen on hiring talent who want to "prove a personal point," and acknowledged that he was speaking to Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. Apart from current F1 drivers, Lowdon admitted to having spoken to young talent from the junior categories. He said: "There's some really good F2 drivers, you know, Felipe Drugovich, Fred Vesti, you know, the list kind of goes on." When asked about Arvid Lindblad, Lowdon acknowledged, saying: "Yeah, Arvid, really good guy. He's doing a great job. You know, he has Red Bull." Cadillac reportedly spoke to many drivers over the British Grand Prix weekend, such as Jak Crawford, Jack Doohan, Zhou Guanyu, and Drugovich. Bottas likely had a second round of discussion with the team. However, it is not known when Cadillac will finalize its driver lineup and announce it officially. Related: Cadillac F1 Adopts NASA's Apollo Mission Strategy for 2026 Debut
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Daniel Ricciardo Breaks Silence From 'Life in The Slow Lane'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Former Racing Bulls driver Daniel Ricciardo has opened up on his "life in the slow lane" after parting ways with Formula One last year. The Australian also revealed his karting venture and how life has changed since being away from the racetrack. Following his storied F1 career, Ricciardo is engaged in supporting youngsters in motorsports at the grassroots level through the Daniel Ricciardo Series, where young talents compete in DRS Ricciardo Karts across events hosted in the UK. The previous year saw Ricciardo race alongside Yuki Tsunoda with the goal of a future promotion to Red Bull. However, as a result of poor performance, Racing Bulls decided to drop him after the Singapore Grand Prix for Liam Lawson. The exit from the Red Bull junior team was also a goodbye to F1. However, it seems as though Ricciardo is enjoying life away from the sport and is engaged in working with young drivers. Speaking to F1 on life after racing, Ricciardo said: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB walks in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024 in... Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB walks in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. More"All good! I'm just enjoying some life in the slow lane. I mean, it sounds weird saying like retirement when I'm 35 years old, but retirement from at least the world I was living in. It's cool. "To be at the kart track... it's my first time at a race track since I guess Singapore, so quite a few months now. But it's cool to see the kids... this is why I started karting... "I've had photos with groups of the kids and I can tell the friendships they have, and these friendships will last a lifetime a lot of them. My best friend to this day was a friend that I raced karts with. It's nice to be back at like the grassroots of it and the most pure form of racing." Ricciardo looked back at how he used to look up to his F1 idols, and how young F1 fans are inspired by him today. With his life having come full circle, he added: "I think now that I'm a bit removed from it and life is not as chaotic, it's nice to remember what it was like to be at the start of the career. We all have idols and heroes... "I would be very nervous meeting someone who I admired, so I understand sometimes it's a bit overwhelming. But everyone seems pretty cool. I guess maybe I'm not the only driver they've met before – there's a lot of F1 fans here! "I think just to have someone that you want to try and obviously look up to and someone that can inspire you... if I'm able to sprinkle a tiny bit of inspiration or motivation today by being here and having a chat to a few kids, that's awesome. That's something I know I appreciated when I was eight, nine, 10 years old." The 35-year-old former driver confessed that he never raced for fame or to impress anyone. Having fun was his sole motivation to go racing. Opening up about one piece of advice he wished he had received during his karting days, he said: "I mean, I think I was quite lucky with the advice. It was always just, 'Go and have fun'. It wasn't about trying to impress someone or be someone you're not. 'If you do this you'll be on TV and make money'. It wasn't about that, it was just, 'Go and have fun'. "It kind of helped me also... like racing is scary, you know? I think it helped me at school have a bit more confidence. Everyone's shy, we all go through things growing up, so I think it kind of gave me confidence in myself as a person, also away from the track. So, that's something I took from it. "But as far as the driving goes, honestly it was just about me having fun. I was playing with my friends [at the track], we were riding scooters and stuff, and my dad was always dragging me like, 'The kart's on the grid, put your helmet on!' The karting was kind of secondary a lot of the time. It was just to be in this environment with friends."
Forbes
15-04-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
The ‘Grand Prix Effect': How Motorsport Weekends Became The New Festival Circuit For Brands
VIP guests on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on April 06, 2025 in ... More Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) In an era where experiences are the new luxury and culture is co-created between consumer and brand, motorsport has shifted gear. No longer just the preserve of hardcore petrolheads or elite hospitality guests, motorsport weekends are evolving into full-scale lifestyle festivals—complete with fashion, food, fan zones, and a fierce battle for brand attention. The message for marketers? This is no longer a niche sport. It's a global, culturally rich, commercially explosive opportunity. At its core, motorsport is theatre—high-stakes, high-speed storytelling with built-in heroes and rivalries. But today's fans want more than a seat in the stands. They want immersive, shareable experiences. Think music stages, curated food courts, fashion pop-ups, branded tech zones, after-parties. In Abu Dhabi and Las Vegas—two of the most strategically significant Grand Prix weekends—motorsport is now part race, part red carpet, part cultural moment. Think music stages, curated food courts, fashion pop-ups, branded tech zones, after-parties. In Abu ... More Dhabi and Las Vegas—two of the most strategically significant Grand Prix weekends—motorsport is now part race, part red carpet, part cultural moment. Kylie Minoque waves the chequered flag during the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Pauline Ballet - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) It's the same model that made music festivals such powerful brand platforms. Motorsport is simply now delivering its own headline acts—on and off the track. The numbers are hard to ignore. Formula 1 alone now boasts over 500 million global fans, with the U.S. Grand Prix calendar expanding to include Las Vegas alongside Miami and Austin. According to FervoGear, the motorsports market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% through 2028, with Asia-Pacific and the Middle East leading the charge. Market Data Forecast names Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and India as fast-rising players thanks to infrastructure investment, youth engagement, and a hunger for prestige events. When Louis Vuitton delivers trophy trunks, TAG Heuer replaces Rolex as official F1 timekeeper, and ... More when race weekends are as well-dressed as Fashion Week, brands have more than a sponsorship—they have a style statement. The trophy male made by Louis Vuitton during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 29, 2022 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/FilmMagic) It's not just automakers and energy companies taking up pole position. Yes, Ferrari, Shell, and Red Bull are still front and centre. But they're joined by luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer, and HUGO BOSS, tech giants like Oracle and Salesforce, and fashion-forward collaborators such as Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, and K-Swiss. These partnerships aren't accidental. Motorsport offers a rare convergence: global scale, elite performance, design culture, and aesthetic appeal. When done well, association delivers not just awareness, but aspiration. And it works. As Creativebrief noted, brands that lean into the real culture of consumers—not just the optics—earn deeper loyalty. Motorsport isn't just becoming more visible; it's becoming more versatile. From Lewis Hamilton's streetwear collection with Tommy Hilfiger to Ferrari's debut at Milan Fashion ... More Week, fashion and motorsport are no longer strange bedfellows. Apparel, footwear, and accessories inspired by the track are trending—and drivers are now full-blown cultural influencers. Tommy Hilfiger announces Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton as global brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger Men's in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/) From Lewis Hamilton's streetwear collection with Tommy Hilfiger to Ferrari's debut at Milan Fashion Week, fashion and motorsport are no longer strange bedfellows. Apparel, footwear, and accessories inspired by the track are trending—and drivers are now full-blown cultural influencers. When Louis Vuitton delivers trophy trunks, TAG Heuer replaces Rolex as official F1 timekeeper, and when race weekends are as well-dressed as Fashion Week, brands have more than a sponsorship—they have a style statement. Motorsport has long faced criticism for its lack of inclusion. But today, real steps are being ... More taken. The F1 Academy is giving female drivers vital opportunities. Extreme E mandates gender-diverse driver lineups. Rafaela Ferreira of Brazil poses for a photo as she is announced as the Visa Cash App RB F1 Academy driver for the 2025 season on October 29, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo byfor Visa Cash App RB F1 Team) Motorsport has long faced criticism for its lack of inclusion. But today, real steps are being taken. The F1 Academy is giving female drivers vital opportunities. Extreme E mandates gender-diverse driver lineups. The We Race As One initiative and groups like Driven By Us are opening doors across engineering, operations, and content creation. These are more than CSR checkboxes. They're long-term investments in widening the fanbase—and they're working. Younger fans, particularly in the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East, expect diversity to be built into the DNA of the sport. Brands who show up with purpose and presence—not just logos—stand to win big. So how can CEOs and CMOs take the checkered flag? This isn't a one-off trend. It's the arrival of what I call The Grand Prix Effect—a new kind of global event where the race is just the anchor. Everything else—the sound, the style, the social currency—makes it a magnet for culture and commerce. Motorsport is no longer just an engine of adrenaline. It's an engine of influence. Motorsport is moving fast—but it's not racing away from its roots. It's evolving. Embracing a more diverse, digitally fluent, lifestyle-hungry audience. And building a new kind of brand playground in the process. This isn't just a moment. It's a movement. The Grand Prix Effect has arrived—and the grid is wide open.
