In the past few days Daniel Ricciardo has officially declared his racing career over, drawing a defining line under months of speculation about an unlikely Formula 1 return. On Saturday Ricciardo told the world that his “racing days are behind me” and emphasized his intention to stay involved with motorsport, not from the cockpit but as a newly named global ambassador for Ford Racing. This announcement ends persistent rumors about negotiations with teams like the new Cadillac entry which ultimately confirmed its 2026 lineup with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Ricciardo’s statement, widely reported by The Witness and echoed across the motorsports media, reinforces the reality that his 13-year F1 journey—with 8 grand prix wins and 32 podiums—has genuinely reached its finish line.
With his competitive future settled Ricciardo’s business moves drew fresh attention. Man of Many reports that his prized Aston Martin Valkyrie—one of just 150 made, sporting custom “Badger Blue” paint in reference to his “Honey Badger” nickname—has just hit the auction block at the Zoute Concours 2025. This ultra-rare hypercar, boasting just 160 kilometers on the odometer and over 140,000 pounds in bespoke extras including ultra-light magnesium wheels and extensive carbon fiber, is expected to command a multimillion-dollar figure when it sells. The buzz around this auction has only heightened since Ricciardo shared a cryptic social media post posing with the Ford Racing logo, blending personal milestone, luxury cachet, and subtle branding in one gesture.
Ford is clearly set to leverage Ricciardo’s signature charisma for both their racing ambitions and broader global marketing. As GPFans details, Ricciardo’s new role centers on being the public face of Ford’s renewed focus on motorsport innovation and fan engagement. His statement on remaining connected to racing and enjoying “amazing drives ahead with Ford” strongly hints at future promotional projects and media involvement but explicitly distances himself from any competitive return.
Beyond the boardroom and auction house Ricciardo has kept a characteristically low public profile, opting out of any on-site appearances at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend. Instead his 2021 Monza victory for McLaren got a nostalgic mention in RacingNews365 coverage, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc referencing Ricciardo’s shock win as proof that “special” things can happen at Monza.
Ricciardo’s official retirement, Ford ambassadorship, high-profile car auction, and measured social media presence all mark a career pivot with long-term biographical significance. There were no unconfirmed reports or rumors of a competitive comeback in the past 24 hours and all the latest headlines agree—Ricciardo is done with F1 racing but far from done making an impact.
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