Daniel Ricciardo says goodbye to racing but remains in motorsport: the former Formula 1 driver becomes a global ambassador for Ford Racing.
Daniel Ricciardo has officially confirmed his retirement from competitive racing, closing a chapter that spanned more than a decade in Formula 1. The Australian, now a year removed from his departure from the pinnacle of motorsport, and known for unforgettable moments in the F1 Circus, will not leave the world of motorsport entirely. On Friday, he announced on Ford’s social media channels his new role as a global ambassador for the American brand’s sports division: Ford Racing.
The announcement on Ford Racing
In the post shared by Ford Racing, Ricciardo made it clear that a return to driving is not part of the plan, neither in Formula 1 nor in any other category. The post reads:
“Hello to all the Ford team members around the world! I hope you’ve had a fantastic summer (or winter, for us Australians) and that you’re excited for the rest of 2025.
I wanted to take a moment to share some exciting news. Although my days as a driver are behind me, my love for everything with wheels remains incredibly strong, which is why I’m proud to join Ford as Global Ford Racing Ambassador.
‘Why now and why me?’ When I decided it was time to retire, I spent a lot of time thinking about the most authentic way to stay connected to motorsport.
For me, racing has always been about fun. It made me happy and gave me memories that will last a lifetime. I thought about my most meaningful moments with Ford. The first was in 2017, when I bought a Raptor, even before having a home in the United States. Priorities, right?
Then, shortly after Ford announced the partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing, I went to Dearborn and met executives like Jim Farley (we had a lot of fun and laughed a lot), but I also had the chance to peek behind the scenes and see what was happening in your design department. Truly impressive.
Later that summer, I visited the team in Cologne: it was amazing to meet the employees, witness a live crash test, and answer questions in a Town Hall session. On every occasion, the passion of Ford and its people for motorsport was evident.
But what excites me the most is the way you continue to have fun while innovating. Ford has built a true business around motorsport and is using it to bring new technologies to production cars. And nothing represents this better than the legendary Raptor.
Putting aside my fondness for “made in USA” vehicles and my great love for pickups, the Raptor is becoming a global powerhouse.
From what I’ve seen, an extraordinary future awaits, and I’m truly proud to join the team. So, here’s to fun, laughter, and the memories ahead.
Daniel.”
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