Daniel Ricciardo refuses to rule out racing return after abrupt F1 exit: "Never say never"

Daniel Ricciardo says any future racing comeback would be driven by enjoyment rather than a desire to chase championship success

Daniel Ricciardo refuses to rule out racing return after abrupt F1 exit: "Never say never"

Daniel Ricciardo says any future racing comeback would be driven by enjoyment rather than a desire to chase championship success

Daniel Ricciardo isn't closing the door on a return to racing, but if he does climb back into a cockpit, don't expect him to be chasing championship glory.

The beloved Australian driver, known for his infectious smile and daring overtakes, made a shock exit from Formula 1 at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. He was replaced at Racing Bulls by Liam Lawson, leaving fans wondering if we'd seen the last of the eight-time Grand Prix winner.

Speaking on Conor Daly's Speed Street podcast, Ricciardo opened up about his sudden departure and what the future might hold. "At the end of my career, I was like, 'Why do I love it?' And I just wanted to remove myself for a bit," he admitted. "But I think going to other races kind of rebuilt a healthy relationship with it."

When pressed on whether he'd ever return to professional racing, the Honey Badger kept things characteristically optimistic: "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."

For Ricciardo, any potential comeback would be about pure passion, not trophies. "If I was to do something maybe one day, it would definitely be more from a fun aspect than, like, 'I'm chasing some championship' aspect," he explained. "I don't need to hold a trophy in something. I don't need this for myself."

He acknowledged the delicate balance between ambition and enjoyment—a struggle many athletes face. "Sometimes that can take the enjoyment out of racing. It's a balance, because you want to have goals, and that's obviously what gives you that purpose in the morning. To wake up and push yourself and get in the gym and all that. But sometimes that can also rob some of the joy."

Since stepping away from F1, Ricciardo has been focusing on his Enchanté brand and serving as a brand ambassador for Ford. Whether he'll ever strap on a helmet again remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure—if he does, it'll be on his own terms, with a smile on his face and the simple joy of driving at the heart of it all.

Daniel Ricciardo refuses to rule out racing return after abrupt F1 exit: "Never say never"

Daniel Ricciardo refuses to rule out racing return after abrupt F1 exit: "Never say never"