(Motorsport-Total.com) – Daniel Ricciardo has explained that he now feels his life is “a bit more real” without the hectic Formula 1 calendar. He spoke openly about the adjustment to a life away from the paddock.
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The eight-time Grand Prix winner ended his Formula 1 career after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, when he was replaced at the Racing Bulls by Liam Lawson. The Australian now dedicates himself to the simple things of a more structured everyday life away from the racing circus.
When he recently spoke about this new phase of life on Conor Daly’s Speed Street Podcast, Ricciardo explained: “I just enjoy the slower pace of life and ultimately the fact that you can be in one place for a while.”
“It’s literally the little things. Even at home: I can now actually spend a real stretch of time in Australia, with family, with friends and all that. These are just things you definitely take for granted when you have them. And deep down I always missed that. I always missed being a kid, hanging out with friends and going to birthdays.”
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“I used to come home over Christmas and always felt rushed and tried to do 100 things at once because time is limited. But when you rush like that, it doesn’t really feel real. It’s almost like being in a movie. So now life feels a bit more real.”
Although Ricciardo enjoys the quieter side of life, he still gets behind the wheel of various vehicles as a brand ambassador for the American car giant Ford. He was seen, among other things, on off-road drives in the Ford Raptor T1+, and he was also part of the Ford launch event for 2026 alongside Red Bull.
Besides the fun in his role as brand ambassador, he continues to run his fashion label Enchante. For the upcoming Indianapolis 500, the brand has just announced a collaboration with Daly under the name “Enchante 500”.
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