The unabashed Australian with a penchant for shoeys was hugely popular but memories of his larrikin character should not overshadow his talent as a driver
“Wild and wonderful.” That’s how Daniel Ricciardo described a journey in Formula One that concluded on Thursday with confirmation of his ouster from RB for the remainder of the 2024 season. It was hardly unexpected, given talk of the 35-year-old’s future had dominated the build-up to last week’s race and a final flourish to record the fastest lap in Singapore carried all the airs of one last bow. The Australian, one of the sport’s most ebullient characters, appeared at peace with what was to come as he described the lap as “one last crack at doing a fast one.”
Ricciardo’s wording feels apt. In large part thanks to his endearing presence in the Netflix series Drive to Survive, he departs the sport as one of its most popular figures. – the tide of tributes flowing from fans and peers speaks to the imprint that he has had on the grid, not just as a driver but also as a personality. At a time when F1 has experienced a surge in new interest in a social-media-driven age, his beaming smile, entertaining interviews and famous ‘shoey’ celebration – and his 32 appearances on the podium – have become core memories of a generation of new fans.