Daniel Ricciardo, the charismatic Australian Formula One driver known for his infectious grin and on-track bravado, has officially called time on his motor racing career. The announcement, made jointly with Ford on September 5, 2025, signals a new chapter for the 36-year-old, who will now serve as a global ambassador for the American automotive giant, focusing especially on their off-road Raptor brand. For fans who have followed Ricciardo’s journey from his breakthrough Red Bull days to his Netflix stardom on Drive to Survive, the news is both an end and a beginning.
Ricciardo’s decision comes after a tumultuous few seasons in Formula One. According to BBC, he was dropped by Racing Bulls in October 2024, following a year in which he failed to regain his coveted Red Bull seat. Prior to that, McLaren had let him go at the end of the 2022 season, despite Ricciardo’s eight Grand Prix victories and reputation as one of the sport’s most popular personalities. For the past year, Ricciardo has largely stayed out of the racing spotlight, fueling speculation about his next move.
Now, the answer is clear. Ricciardo is shifting gears but not entirely leaving the world of fast cars and big engines behind. As he put it in a statement shared by both Ford and Ricciardo himself: “While my racing days are behind me, my love for anything with wheels will always remain high and for that I am proud to be partnering with Ford to become a Global Ford Racing Ambassador.” Ricciardo emphasized that his new role is about authenticity—staying connected to motorsports in a way that feels true to his passions and personality. “When I decided it was time to retire, I thought long and hard about finding the most authentic way to stay connected to the world of motorsports. For me, racing was always about having fun. It made me happy and created memories that will last a lifetime.”
But why Ford, and why now? The answer, it seems, is rooted in Ricciardo’s longstanding affection for the brand’s off-road trucks and his desire to embrace a new kind of automotive adventure. As reported by Road & Track, Ricciardo has a history with Ford that predates even his first home purchase in the United States—he bought his first Raptor in 2017. In a heartfelt letter to the Ford team, Ricciardo explained: “After Ford announced it was partnering with Oracle Red Bull Racing, I came over to Dearborn and met senior leaders like Jim Farley (we had a ton of fun and a lot of laughs) but also had the chance to peek behind the curtain and see what was happening within your design department. Damn impressive.”
Ford’s ambitions in the off-road market are no small matter. Earlier this year, CEO Jim Farley declared his intention to make Ford the “Porsche of off-road,” signaling a major push behind the Raptor nameplate and the lifestyle it represents. Ricciardo’s appointment as a global ambassador is expected to put his recognizable face—and beard, which Road & Track playfully compared to actor Jason Mantzoukas—front and center in Ford’s Raptor-related promotions, announcements, and off-road racing content.
Ricciardo’s new role doesn’t mean fans will see him back in a Formula One cockpit, even as Ford prepares to re-enter the sport in 2026 as an engine partner with Red Bull. Despite his close ties to Red Bull and his experience racing for the team, Ricciardo will not be involved in Ford’s F1 project. Instead, his focus will be squarely on the off-road world—a pivot that may surprise some, given his deep roots in single-seaters but makes sense for a man who has always valued fun and authenticity above all else.
“I am going to be working closely with the Ford Racing team and specifically focus on the amazing Raptor brand and lifestyle that Raptor has become for many of Ford's customers,” Ricciardo said in his announcement. While he didn’t lay out a detailed job description, industry watchers expect Ricciardo to be highly visible in Ford’s marketing campaigns, social media content, and maybe even some off-road racing events—though not as a professional competitor. As Road & Track noted, “We expect to see his face all over the place when it comes to Ford Raptor-related announcements, videos, and off-road racing.”
Ricciardo’s move comes at a time when the boundaries between motorsports, lifestyle branding, and celebrity culture are more porous than ever. His popularity on Netflix’s Drive to Survive helped bring a new generation of fans to Formula One, and his easygoing persona has made him a favorite among sponsors and media alike. In many ways, Ricciardo’s transition to brand ambassador is a logical extension of the role he’s played for years: part racer, part entertainer, and always a passionate advocate for the automotive world.
It’s also worth noting that Ricciardo’s decision to step away from professional racing was made despite interest from major American series like IndyCar and NASCAR. According to BBC, Ricciardo was clear: “Despite interest from American racing series such as IndyCar and NASCAR, Ricciardo stated his racing days are behind him.” That’s a bold stance for someone still relatively young by racing standards, but it’s consistent with Ricciardo’s philosophy. For him, it was never just about the competition—it was about the joy and camaraderie of motorsport.
Ford, for its part, is betting that Ricciardo’s global appeal and genuine enthusiasm for the Raptor brand will help it reach new audiences as it seeks to dominate the off-road segment. The company’s partnership with Red Bull in F1, set to begin in 2026, is a major strategic move, but Ricciardo’s role will be distinct—anchored in lifestyle, adventure, and the kind of storytelling that resonates with fans both old and new.
As Ricciardo embarks on this next phase, he does so with the same spirit that endeared him to millions of racing fans around the world. “My love for anything with wheels will always remain high,” he said, and there’s little doubt that his enthusiasm will carry over to his new gig. For those who have followed his career from the early days to the heights of Formula One glory, Ricciardo’s latest move is a reminder that the end of one road can be the beginning of another—especially when there’s still plenty of fuel left in the tank.
With his trademark grin and unshakable passion, Daniel Ricciardo is set to leave his mark on a new frontier, proving that life after racing can be just as thrilling as the chase for the checkered flag.
