What’s subsequent for Daniel Ricciardo?

The final time Daniel Ricciardo was absent from the F1 grid following his run with McLaren, his hopeful followers have been shortly rewarded together with his return when he changed Nick DeVries at RB. However following Ricciardo’s unceremonious exit from the grid in the midst of the 2024 season, hopes for his eventual return might have to wane, because it seems he might have hung up his racing boots for good. 

Over 13 years, the Australian driver racked up a collection of iconic victories, specifically his Monaco win in 2018 and Monza in 2021 — whereas turning into one of many greatest names in world motorsport alongside the way in which. His megawatt smile and laid again angle gained’t be forgotten by followers or the paddock anytime quickly, however his breakup with the collection leaves the 35-year-old dealing with a attainable profession change. Setting boots and helmets apart, and contemplating his different initiatives and pursuits within the works, what could possibly be on the horizon for the previous F1 driver?

Hollywood

Ricciardo is already making strides to interrupt into tinseltown together with his Hulu-backed comedy, titled Downforce. The collection, which is at the moment in testing, facilities on an heiress to a racing dynasty after she is thrust again into the household enterprise and compelled to make tough selections about her crew’s success. The half-hour scripted present has been pitched as Entourage set within the F1 paddock, with Alec Berg and Adam Countee — the duo behind HBO’s Silicon Valley — writing the collection. 

Ricciardo is government producing the present, but when he desires to attempt his hand at one other venture, maybe one which takes him in entrance of the digicam, he gained’t be quick on alternatives. The Perth native is repped by powerhouse expertise company CAA, which boasts an enviable shopper roster spanning Oscar winners, Tremendous Bowl Champions and nearly everybody in between. He most lately flexed his appearing chops when he teamed up together with his pal, Payments quarterback Josh Allen (a fellow CAA shopper), on an elaborate Beats promo comprised of a brief movie and distinctive merch line. He is additionally continued to lean into that friendship, and his love for the Payments, after leaving the F1 grid. 

I wouldn’t be shocked if Ricciardo additional leaned into his love for American sports activities in his subsequent profession transfer. Whereas he’s definitely cemented himself as an Aussie sporting hero through the years [see: the shoey], he’s simply as equally aligned himself with the US whereas racing in Texas over the previous decade. Some may argue he’s even turn into a defacto American for the thousands and thousands of latest followers from the States who found the distinctly European sport through the pandemic and wanted a driver to root for.

Vogue

As soon as he was a longtime racing determine within the paddock, like many F1 drivers, Ricciardo launched a private merch line. Nevertheless, he proved simply how critical he was concerning the threads when he rebranded from RIC3 to Enchante and started releasing considerate, limited-edition drops beloved by followers. The uber-successful model is backed by Harry Types’ pal, Xander Ritz’s firm, The Loyalist, and has been obtainable to buy on-line in addition to a number of pop-ups, most lately in New York Metropolis. After all time will inform, nevertheless it appears Ricciardo has constructed a robust sufficient fan base that gross sales aren’t contingent on his presence in F1.

As for his foray into excessive vogue, we noticed him attend the 2023 Met Gala in a tailor-made Thom Browne swimsuit. Although he was gracious about having the chance to stroll the steps of the Met, Ricciardo was fast to confess that high fashion wasn’t precisely his model. If I have been a betting girl, I’d say he’ll be leaving that sector to Lewis Hamilton for probably the most half. 

Music

Ricciardo has lengthy professed his deep love for music whereas admitting in the identical breath that he has little or no musical expertise (relatable). When you’ve listened to any of his long-form interviews and podcasts by means of the years, the motive force usually mentions music as a ardour he’d prefer to discover in a post-F1 world, nevertheless his imaginative and prescient for what that’s seems to be to be a bit imprecise.

I don’t have a crystal ball, in fact, however I predict he may take a nontraditional path throughout the music trade. Maybe he’ll personal a venue or get into the stay occasions area quite than create music of his personal, however I’d additionally wager that it is a barely longer-term plan and we’ll see him attempt his hand at a couple of different issues first.

Wine

When you aren’t actively searching for it out, you won’t even notice that Ricciardo has a partnership with the wine model, St Hugo, and his personal wine, DR3. Promotion has leaned fairly closely on the Australian market the place the product is bought in one of many nation’s greatest liquor shops, nevertheless it will also be bought on-line.

In contrast to George Clooney’s tequila model, Casamigos, which was in a position to stand by itself with out the A-lister, the DR3 portfolio of wines depends closely on Ricciardo himself selling the product, so he’ll need to proceed to lean in ought to he need to pursue the wine enterprise. I’d rank this class fairly low by way of the chance that we’ll see Ricciardo rebrand as a sommelier anytime quickly.

IndyCar, NASCAR, or one other racing collection

It’s bittersweet to confess, however I believe there’s probability Ricciardo has hung up his total racing equipment for good, which suggests it is unlikely he’ll be chasing the dream in every other collection.

Ricciardo has instructed reporters (together with me, on the events I’ve interviewed him) that he has a number of passions outdoors of racing, and sure wouldn’t head to a different collection post-F1 purely to proceed driving. When you check out his social media channels, he has been spending time on two wheels with Aussie motocross stars Hunter and Jett Lawrence, so it’s attainable he doesn’t really feel the necessity to compete to get that repair. After all, there’s at all times the prospect he’ll make a one-off look on the likes of Le Mans, however when you’re holding out for a NASCAR announcement, you could possibly be ready some time… or without end.

Commentary

As evidenced by Tom Brady within the NFL, one of the best athletes don’t at all times make one of the best commentators. But, somebody like Jolyon Palmer, who had a completely unremarkable F1 profession, has gone on to turn into one of many sport’s greatest pundits. I’d like to see Ricciardo in entrance of the digicam in some capability as a result of he’s such a unbelievable character, however historical past tells us that this doesn’t look like his strongest swimsuit (see: his unsuccessful foray into commentary with ESPN on the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix).

Given Ricciardo’s strengths lie in his effervescent attraction and his skill to place folks comfy, I may see him inking a cope with a community that might permit him to dip into a number of totally different sports activities in some capability, making him a broader media character quite than a pure F1 pundit.