Daniel Ricciardo appeared publicly for the first time since stepping away from Formula 1 last season, joining Oscar Piastri and George Russell at a padel match held at the Monte Carlo International Sports complex over the weekend. This moment marked a notable return for the Australian driver, who has kept a low profile and avoided media since his departure from the grid.
Oscar Piastri, who took over Ricciardo’s seat at McLaren in 2023, posted a photo on Instagram featuring Ricciardo and Russell together, capturing a relaxed moment away from racing pressures. Ricciardo’s appearance was marked by a noticeably fuller beard, a stark contrast to his clean-shaven look during his F1 career.
The gathering also included Australian Olympic snowboarder Scott James, a close friend of Ricciardo, completing the photo with the group of sportsmen enjoying the event.
Ricciardo Explores New Opportunities Beyond Formula 1
Since being released by Red Bull Racing after last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, Ricciardo has distanced himself from any return to the F1 paddock, emphasizing his decision to explore different paths outside competitive racing. Despite briefly trying retirement, as he shared, the former eight-time Grand Prix winner found himself drawn to new ventures after some downtime involving golf and other leisure activities.
Ricciardo recently partnered with gambling company Dabble to launch ‘Dabble Dan’s Tailgate Party,’ a contest offering fans a chance to win a trip to Austin, Texas, including flights, accommodation for three nights, VIP tickets to an American football tailgate event, and a meet-and-greet with Ricciardo himself. Tailgate parties typically take place in parking lots before or after major sports games and are social gatherings centered around grilling and camaraderie.
Sharing a promotional video on Instagram, Ricciardo said,
“I’ve teamed up with the legends at Dabble to start a tailgate business… Check it out at DabbleDan.com.”
—Daniel Ricciardo
In further comments about his new chapter, Ricciardo explained,
“But then I got that itch. You know? I needed to do something. I missed the buzz. The energy.”
—Daniel Ricciardo
He emphasized a renewed passion for this business venture, stating,
“It was time I chased my TRUE passion…”
—Daniel Ricciardo
Applications for the tailgate competition are open to those aged 21 and over, inviting fans to engage with this fresh chapter in Ricciardo’s life beyond Formula 1.
Oscar Piastri’s Rising Career Compared with Ricciardo’s Achievements
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri continues to make significant strides in his F1 career, having secured five Grand Prix wins during the 2025 season. He is now only one victory away from matching Ricciardo’s career total of eight wins. Additionally, Piastri has equaled records held by Australian Formula 1 legends Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones, each of whom won five races in a single season in 1960 and 1980, respectively.
Piastri’s impressive momentum signals a promising future and the potential to become the most successful Australian driver of his generation. Despite the growing expectations, he remains focused on further achievements rather than past milestones.
On this, Piastri remarked,
“Whilst those stats are cool, that’s ultimately not why I’m here,”
—Oscar Piastri
He added,
“I’m here to try and win even more races and fight for a championship. So I think there are some cooler statistics to come.”
—Oscar Piastri
The Future Beyond Racing: What Ricciardo’s New Endeavors Mean
Ricciardo’s emergence at Monte Carlo alongside Piastri highlights a pivotal moment as he transitions from professional racing to entrepreneurship. His involvement with Dabble and the launch of a tailgate-focused business demonstrates a shift toward engaging fans and pursuing personal passions beyond the track. This move reflects a broader trend of athletes exploring diverse careers after sports and could inspire similar ventures within the F1 community.
For Piastri, the continued success on the track sets up a compelling narrative for Australian motorsport, with the young driver aiming to carve out his legacy. His rivalry and camaraderie with Ricciardo symbolize a passing of the torch within Australian F1 ranks, while both remain connected through moments like the Monte Carlo outing.
As Ricciardo embarks on this entrepreneurial path and Piastri pushes forward in his racing career, fans and observers will be watching closely to see how these parallel journeys unfold in the coming months and years.
