Daniel Ricciardo: Post-F1 Career, Net Worth, and 2025 Retirement

Few athletes leave a sport as warmly as Daniel Ricciardo walked away from Formula One. The Australian with the megawatt smile retired in 2025 after 232 Grands Prix and eight race wins — but he didn’t vanish into a quiet life.

F1 wins: 8 · F1 podiums: 32 · Grands Prix starts: 232 · Retirement year: 2025 · Current role: Global brand ambassador and tailgate business co-owner

Eight Grand Prix wins, 32 podiums, and three pole positions paint a clear picture of Ricciardo’s on-track ability — but the numbers only tell part of the story.

Is Daniel Ricciardo retiring from F1?

Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 retirement announcement

Ricciardo confirmed his retirement from motor racing in September 2025. ESPN (established sports news outlet) reported that he had “confirmed retirement from motor racing for good.” The decision came after a final full season in 2024 with RB (VCARB), where he scored 12 points across 24 races.

Official statements from Ricciardo

Earlier in June 2025, Ricciardo posted on Instagram (his official account) that “retirement is not for me” while announcing a tailgate partnership with Dabble. This already hinted at post-F1 plans, but by September the racing chapter was closed for good.

Last F1 race and timeline

His final Grand Prix was the 2024 Abu Dhabi season finale. In 232 starts, he won eight races and stood on the podium 32 times. After that, he stepped away.

The implication: Ricciardo is leaving the cockpit but staying in the conversation.

Is Daniel Ricciardo coming back in 2026?

Immediate post-retirement plans

Within weeks of leaving the grid, Ricciardo launched “Dabble Dan’s Tailgate Party” in Austin, Texas, as reported by Yahoo Sports (Yahoo Sports). GlobeNewswire (press release wire) described it as a “global fan tailgating” venture with the betting company Dabble.

Tailgate business with Dabble

GPBlog (F1-focused publication) reported that Ricciardo’s role involves co-owning and promoting a tailgate experience for fans. His LinkedIn profile lists him as founder of Enchanté, a lifestyle apparel brand, with the bio “Driver of fast cars. Proud West Australian.”

Future F1 comeback rumors

Despite speculation, Ricciardo has not confirmed any plans to return to Formula One in 2026. ESPN’s September 2025 report confirms his retirement is permanent. However, RacingNews365 (motorsport news outlet) noted that his new project signals a shift, not a return. The pattern: he’s building a career in fan engagement, not racing.

The takeaway: His post-retirement activities signal a new direction, not a return to racing.

Is Max Verstappen still friends with Daniel Ricciardo?

History of their friendship in F1

Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were teammates at Red Bull Racing from 2016 to 2018. During those three seasons, they pushed each other to wins and podium finishes, creating one of the paddock’s most visible friendships.

Post-Red Bull relationship

After Ricciardo left Red Bull for Renault in 2019, many wondered if the bond would fade. Yet in September 2024, Formula1.com quoted Ricciardo saying Verstappen was “one of the only guys to text me” during tough periods (Formula1.com). That suggests the friendship remained genuine.

Recent interactions and public statements

GPFans (fan-focused F1 outlet) speculated in June 2026 about a “dream team” pairing of Verstappen and Ricciardo in a hypothetical racing-chief context — but that remains speculation with low confidence. What is clear: neither driver has ever publicly criticised the other, and both have spoken warmly of their time together.

What this means: Ricciardo and Verstappen’s friendship survived team changes and career shifts — a rarity in the high-pressure Formula One environment.

What is Daniel Ricciardo’s job now?

Post-F1 career details

Ricciardo’s primary occupation after retirement is co-owner of a tailgate business with Dabble, the Australian betting platform. Yahoo Sports framed the move as a shift “from the paddock to the parking lot.” He also serves as a global brand ambassador for Ford Racing, as reported by GPFans in June 2026 (GPFans).

Brand ambassador role

His LinkedIn profile lists him as founder of Enchanté, a lifestyle apparel brand. He also maintains partnerships with personal sponsors that were active during his racing career.

Tailgate business owner

The Dabble venture, branded “Dabble Dan’s Tailgate Party,” targets fans attending major motorsport events. GlobeNewswire’s June 2025 release called it a “global fan tailgating” initiative. For a driver who built a reputation on personality, this pivot fits his brand.

The pattern: He’s building a portfolio of fan-facing ventures rather than returning to the track.

What is Daniel Ricciardo’s net worth?

Estimated net worth

Estimates vary widely. PlanetF1 (motorsport news site) reported around US$50 million in 2023. The Australian Financial Review’s 2025 rich list, cited by GPFans (GPFans), placed his net worth at AU$194 million — though that figure likely includes assets, property, and future earnings.

Sources of income

His F1 salary peaked at McLaren and Red Bull, reportedly in the tens of millions annually. Endorsements with brands like Puma, Oakley, and local sponsors added to his wealth. Post-retirement ventures (tailgate business, Ford Racing ambassadorship, Enchanté apparel) now generate income.

F1 salary and endorsements

While exact figures are private, Ricciardo’s long career with multiple top-tier teams suggests a net worth well north of US$50 million. The range reflects different methodologies: public estimates vs. Australian rich list data that factors in real estate and investments.

Is Daniel Ricciardo married?

Current relationship status

Ricciardo is not publicly married. He has kept his personal life private throughout his F1 career, occasionally sharing glimpses on social media but never confirming a long-term partner or spouse.

Past partners

He dated model Heidi Berger from 2022 to 2024, according to reports from multiple outlets. The relationship ended amicably. Before that, he was linked to a few Australian athletes but never confirmed any relationship publicly.

Private life

Ricciardo’s decision to stay out of the gossip columns reflects a deliberate boundary. In a sport where drivers’ partners often become public figures, he chose to keep that part of life separate.

The trade-off: privacy protects his personal space but leaves fans guessing about his future family plans.

How many F1 wins does Daniel Ricciardo have?

Career race wins

Eight Grand Prix victories, spread across three teams: Red Bull (4 wins), Renault (2 wins), and McLaren (1 win). His first win came at the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix (Wikipedia).

Podiums and pole positions

32 podiums and three pole positions complement his win tally. He also holds 17 fastest laps, underscoring his pace on race day.

Teams and seasons

• 2011: HRT (debut season, 0 wins) (Wikipedia)
• 2012–2013: Toro Rosso (Wikipedia)
• 2014–2018: Red Bull (4 wins, 15 podiums) (Wikipedia)
• 2019–2020: Renault (2 wins, 5 podiums) (Wikipedia)
• 2021–2022: McLaren (1 win, 1 podium) (Wikipedia)
• 2023–2024: AlphaTauri / RB (0 wins, 1 podium) (Wikipedia)

Why this matters: Ricciardo’s eight wins rank him 45th all-time — but his three-team achievement is rare, showing adaptability across different car philosophies.

For fans of Daniel Ricciardo, the post-F1 chapter is already taking shape: a tailgate business that turns his famed personality into a service for racegoers, an ambassadorship with a major brand, and a relationship with Verstappen that survived team changes. The question for the Australian market is whether he will ever sit in a race car again — or whether the parking lot is his new home. The implication: Ricciardo has traded on-track battles for off-track influence, and for a driver who always valued the camaraderie as much as the competition, that may be the wiser move.

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