Daniel Ricciardo confirms F1 plans after being spotted unexpectedly in airport

Daniel Ricciardo appears to have confirmed his retirement from Formula 1 during an impromptu airport interview with a fan. The former star of the sport and darling of Netflix show Drive to Survive has kept a low profile since leaving the racing world last year.

Ricciardo's move from Renault to McLaren in 2021, replacing Carlos Sainz who had decided to leave for Ferrari, was seen by many as a strategic step towards a rising team. However, in retrospect, this gamble marked the beginning of the end for the eight-time Grand Prix winner.

He was consistently outperformed by his team-mate Lando Norris in the subsequent years. After two disappointing years at Woking, McLaren decided to make a change and dropped Ricciardo a year before the end of his contract, opting instead for rookie Oscar Piastri who is now vying for the drivers' championship title.

The 36-year-old made a brief comeback with the junior Red Bull team, now competing as Racing Bulls, but failed to find the form he needed to challenge for a seat at the main outfit. He left in the second half of the 2024 season, replaced by Liam Lawson.

Since then, he has been enjoying life away from the media glare, although he was recently spotted and interviewed by a fan at an airport. Reflecting on his career, Ricciardo shared that it took him a while to realise he was living his dream.

"It took me a long time to realise I was actually doing it because, yeah, it's a dream and you think about it as a kid. And when you're there and you make it, you're like, 'Wow'. It happens very quick, but I mean obviously, I'm very appreciative for the career that I had and very grateful to do what I loved for some time."

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When asked if he could find something to replace the adrenaline rush of racing, Ricciardo admitted: "No... so that's what I'll... second half of my life I'll try and find that another way, I guess."

These comments seem to squash any remaining speculation that Ricciardo might return to F1 in the future. Rumours linking him with the new Cadillac F1 team have persisted, but it is understood there have been no talks between the American outfit and Ricciardo's team.

Last month, team principal Graeme Lowdon explained why Ricciardo is not the type of recruit they are looking for when it comes to drivers. "Actually, I think he has publicly said that he is not interested in Formula 1," he said.

"If I need to convince someone, then it is the wrong person. You never need to convince a Formula 1 driver to jump in the car. I have got no problem – everyone can make their own mind up."