Formula 1 superstar Daniel Ricciardo is known for many iconic racing moments, including his celebratory shoeys, but you’re unlikely to see mementos of these milestones on display in his home.
In an interview with sports presenter Mel McLaughlin, Mr Ricciardo told more than 3000 attendees at the Ray White Connect conference on the Gold Coast on Monday about keeping photos and other mementos of his racing achievements out of his home.
“It’s funny, I don’t really like having like my racing stuff in my house,” Mr Ricciardo said.
“If my parents have some of me in their house, that’s fine.
“I’m still quite shy with some of the achievements.”
Mr Ricciardo, who is known as the ‘honey badger’, boasts eight wins, 32 podiums, and a legendary reputation that extends far beyond racing.
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Daniel Ricciardo spoke at the Ray White Connect conference on the Gold Coast on Monday. Picture: Supplied
It comes off the back of the fan-favourite racer being dropped by Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, after the 2024 Singapore GP.
Rocking longer curly hair and a beard, Mr Ricciardo said he had been figuring out who he was during his time off the track.
“This year has been a bit of self-exploration,” he said.
“I lived this crazy high-speed life for so long and this year I’ve sat into a little bit of stillness.
Mr Ricciardo doing a shoey after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Italy in 2021. Picture: Peter Fox/Getty
“I’ve had a lot of time, I’ve done some hiking. I was in Alaska a few weeks ago and didn’t get mauled by a grizzly which was a bonus. I’ve been trying to figure out who I am other than this race car driver.
“I’ve come to appreciate the little thing more and the meaning of the importance of family and friends. I’ve always been driven and that sometimes leads you to being selfish, so I’m trying to learn to be a bit more selfless and become a better listener.”
Known for being easy going, Ricciardo said his killer instinct didn’t come naturally.
Mr Ricciardo and sports presenter Mel McLaughlin talked about life after F1 and more. Picture: Supplied
“I have had a competitor in me since when I was a kid. I was always competitive in everything I did,” he said.
“But the killer instinct I needed to develop and work on extracting it out of myself. I’m naturally more easy going.
“One of my first trainers at the time, Stu Smith, he really brought it out of me. I did have to work at it but when I let it out it did feel kinda nice, it’s nice to be a badass sometimes.”
Mr Ricciardo at the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore in September last year. Picture: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty
He said he would use too much energy trying to be tough all the time because it wasn’t natural for him.
“I would see other drivers who had that killer instinct from morning to night and I wished I could be like them,” he said.
“But I think people would see me laughing and joking and they would see that as weakness and underestimate me. But I would put the helmet on and think ‘okay now it’s time to be tough like the others’.”
It was Mr Ricciardo’s easy-going nature, along with his killer instinct on the track, that gave him the nickname the ‘honey badger’.
“Honey badgers are cuddly and cute, super good looking,” he joked.
“But when something takes what’s theirs, they fight back. And I think that was sort of like my alter ego when I got behind the wheel.”
Mr Ricciardo’s impressive resume included driving for Oracle Red Bull Racing, McLaren F1, Renault F1, and AlphaTauri and Visa Cash App.
The Aussie star helped transform Formula 1 into a global phenomenon through Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’, and also has an international wine business, DR3 Wines, and a global motorsports-inspired lifestyle apparel business, Enchanté.
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