Ricciardo wants to see F1 friends but remains wary of a paddock return

Daniel Ricciardo would like to see friends in the Formula 1 paddock, but he has stayed away in part because he worries a visit could prompt speculation about a comeback. Asked on the Beyond The Grid podcast whether he might return to the paddock in some capacity, he replied: “I’m not sure.” He imagines a visit without a clear purpose would bring questions about why he is there and whether he is coming back.

His F1 career ended after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, when RB replaced him with Liam Lawson. Over the past two years, Ricciardo has spent more time at home and less time travelling, although he has also become a global ambassador for Ford Racing.

His feelings about being around F1 have shifted. A year earlier, Ricciardo said, he would have wanted no part of it because he found being near the sport too painful. Now, he says he appreciates what F1 gave him and remains in touch with drivers, engineers and mechanics.

Attention is not his only hesitation. Ricciardo says the thought of the F1 calendar’s travel puts him off, and he does not want to go through the sport’s emotions again. He enjoys sharing what he has learned with younger drivers, but has not settled on a next step because he wants to make sure whatever he chooses is right for him.