Daniel Ricciardo recently opened up on how being away from the sport and attending other races helped him develop a renewed and healthy relationship with racing.
While he has previously said it very clearly that he has no intention to return to motor racing, his stance appeared to have shifted recently as he teased a potential comeback.
Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career ended in 2024 at the Singapore Grand Prix due to performance issues. He was replaced by Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls. After he left the paddock, many wished to see the Honey Badger return with some other team and chase the title.
Despite being linked with Cadillac earlier, he debunked the rumours, mentioning that he’s done with the sport and has no plans to return. He recently also expressed gratefulness to Red Bull for making the retirement decision on his behalf, as it would have been tough for him to stop on his own.
Ricciardo provides a seemingly positive update on his racing career
In a conversation with Conor Daly’s Speed Street podcast, Ricciardo revealed how staying away from racing for some time helped him to think about why he’s passionate about the sport and develop a good bond with it yet again. “At the end of my career, I was like, ‘Why do I love it?’ And I just wanted to remove myself for a bit. But I think going to other races kind of rebuilt a healthy relationship with it.”
Sharing whether he has any plans to return to behind the wheel, he added, “Never say never. I’m really enjoying not competing where I currently sit, and just enjoying the small things in life, and not having to kind of be on a stage and all that.”
He revealed that he certainly can’t say what he’s going to do in three or five years. However, he said that if he ever aims to return to racing, it would be from a fun point of view and not to chase a championship. “I don’t need to hold a trophy in something. I don’t need this for myself. Sometimes that can take the enjoyment out of racing,” he explained.
A return to the paddock but not to racing
Ricciardo is all set to be back at the paddock for the Indy500 race on May 24, 2026, which takes place the same day as the Canada Grand Prix.
In the same podcast conversation, he shared how attending this motorsport event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway feels like while showcasing his eagerness to watch it as a fan.
“To experience it in the way you speak about it, you’ve done the European thing, you’ve travelled the world racing. This sounds like… I think it’s going to really hit me hard. I’m excited to be a fan,” he said.
