Daniel Joseph Ricciardo is a popular Australian and Italian racing driver who surprisingly admits about his life after Formula 1 amid speculation that his days could be counted in the paddock.
In an interview with Tourism Western Australia this week, he said “I grew up a fan of NASCAR. I’d like to drive a NASCAR, I’d love to drive around Daytona for example. But would I like to compete? Yes and no,” he went on.
“I know it’s not what I grew up doing and I’ll probably get smoked,” Ricciardo admitted. “[So] I don’t know if I need that [but] I would love to experience it.”
The eight-time Grand Prix winner previously drove Dale Earnhardt’s 1984 Monte Carlo Chevrolet at the US Grand Prix in 2021. Ricciardo grew up idolizing the late NASCAR legend, and has since drawn praise from his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who said he appreciates the F1 driver’s support for his family’s legacy.
Along with stock cars, Ricciardo’s love of motorbikes has been well-documented on social media. He said he’d also like to try his hand at MotoGP, telling Tourism WA, “I love motorbikes … but I would be very, very slow and probably horrendous.”
On home soil, the former Red Bull driver said he’d like to do a few laps around the famed circuit at Bathurst. “Obviously it’s the V8 that do the race there, but you know there’s the 12 hour and stuff so maybe that’s one I could compete in. If a V8 team said ‘hey, do you want to do a few laps around Bathurst, no pressure, just to experience it,’ then I’ll definitely take that up.”
“I could genuinely see myself retiring in Margaret River one day. I just love the way of life … It’s a breath of fresh air, everything slows down.”
