Daniel Ricciardo rejects F1 return as Aussie shuts down rumours with surprising stance | F1 | Sport

Daniel Ricciardo shut down talk of a potential F1 return during a recent interaction with a fan.

The Aussie, 35, has been out of a seat since being axed by VCARB six races before the end of the 2024 season. And rumours put him at the top of Cadillac’s wish list ahead of their General Motors-backed grid entry in 2026.

Reports subsequently dismissed the notion of Ricciardo joining up with the American outfit, with the veteran considering his F1 career to be over after failing to get back into race-winning machinery at Red Bull. Ricciardo himself has now confirmed that, with footage of him meeting a supporter circulating widely on social media.

After shaking hands with Ricciardo, the fan asked him: “No Cadillac?”. And without hesitating, Ricciardo, with his trademark beaming smile, replied: “Nah, I’m done.”

Following his VCARB dismissal, it is understood that the door was left open for the Perth-born driver to remain in Red Bull’s pool of drivers. But he has since cut ties with the team, and it is currently unclear what he plans to do in retirement.

Ricciardo previously spoke about one day competing in NASCAR, while others, including F1 legend Johnny Herbert, have backed him to take up a full-time role in the media.

“He has the experience, the smiley face, is telegenic and is very popular,” Herbert told FlashscoreUSA.com. “He has a nice demeanour and a very good way of sharing the experience that he has had. He has had good and bad times too. All those experiences are what people want to hear about. Daniel would be a good addition.”

Ricciardo won eight Grands Prix and notched 32 podiums across more than 250 races. His best stint came at Red Bull, where he twice finished third in the Drivers’ Championship, in 2014 and 2016.

Despite his pedigree, and the fact he is significantly younger than the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, who are still going strong, Ricciardo is seemingly ready to draw a line under his F1 career.

“I’ve loved this sport my whole life,” he posted on Instagram after being axed in Singapore. “It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey. To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me haha thank you. It’ll always have its highs and lows but it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it. Until the next adventure.”