Former Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed his full retirement from motor racing while revealing he will now focus on being an ambassador for American automobile giant Ford, Afrosport reports.
The 36-year-old Australian has not been involved in motorsport since he lost his seat at AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) after last year’s Singapore Grand Prix and was replaced by Liam Lawson.
He has now joined Ford as a racing ambassador and will focus on promoting the Raptor brand for off-road racing series such as the Dakar Rally.
Ricciardo’s partnership with Ford also comes as the company enters F1 as part of a collaboration with his former team Red Bull Racing ahead of the regulation changes in 2026.
“I wanted to write you all a quick note to coincide with some exciting news,” Ricciardo said per Crash.net.
“While my racing days are behind me, my love for anything with wheels will always remain high and for that I am proud to be partnering with Ford to become a global Ford Racing ambassador.
“I am going to be working closely with the Ford Racing team and specifically focus on the amazing Raptor brand and lifestyle that Raptor has become for many of Ford’s customers.
“…I couldn’t be more excited for all the amazing drives ahead with Ford and for all the incredible projects Ford Racing has in its pipeline.
“From F1, to Dakar and from Le Mans to Bathurst, few companies have been at this for as long as you guys have. And from what I have seen, we have an incredible future ahead and I am so proud to be joining the team.”
Kicking back but always seeking the thrill. Nothing does it better than a Ford Raptor. Proud to be the newest ambassador of @FordRacing pic.twitter.com/QqJJTxXeuB
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) September 5, 2025
Ricciardo’s F1 career and began with Hispania Racing in 2011 before moving to Red Bull sister team Toro Rosso where he raced between 2012 and 2013.
He then moved to the main Red Bull team in 2014 and spent four years, racking up seven wins, three pole positions, 17 podiums and 13 fastest laps.
He went to Renault in 2019 but moved to McLaren two years later and famously won the 2021 Italian Grand Prix for the British team’s first win since the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.
After two seasons with McLaren, Ricciardo returned to Red Bull as a reserve driver for 2023 before he was handed a full-time seat at AlphaTauri for the 2024 season but was axed after the Singapore Grand Prix following a string of underwhelming performances.
