Daniel Ricciardo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Ricciardo
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Ricciardo in 2024
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Daniel Joseph Ricciardo
1 July 1989 Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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| Awards | Full list |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  Australian |
| Active years | 2011–2024 |
| Teams | HRT, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, McLaren, AlphaTauri, RB |
| Car number | 3 |
| Entries | 258 (257 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 8 |
| Podiums | 32 |
| Career points | 1329 |
| Pole positions | 3 |
| Fastest laps | 17 |
| First entry | 2011 British Grand Prix |
| First win | 2014 Canadian Grand Prix |
| Last win | 2021 Italian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2024 Singapore Grand Prix |
| Championship titles | |
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Daniel Joseph Ricciardo (born 1 July 1989) is an Australian former Formula One racing driver. He competed in Formula One from 2011 to 2024. Many people called him "the Honey Badger" because of his fierce and determined racing style. Daniel won eight Grand Prix races during his 14 seasons in Formula One.
Daniel grew up in Perth, Australia, and started kart racing when he was nine years old. He quickly moved up through different junior racing series. He won his first big championship in 2008, the Formula Renault 2.0 WEC. Then, in 2009, he won the British Formula 3 Championship. Daniel joined Formula One in 2011 with the HRT team. He later moved to Toro Rosso for 2012 and 2013. In 2014, he joined the top team, Red Bull, replacing fellow Australian driver Mark Webber.
In 2014, his first year with Red Bull, Daniel won his first Formula One race in Canada. He also won races in Hungary and Belgium that year. He finished third in the championship twice with Red Bull, in 2014 and 2016. After leaving Red Bull, Daniel raced for Renault in 2019 and 2020. He achieved several podium finishes with Renault. In 2021, he moved to McLaren and won the Italian Grand Prix, which was a very special victory. After leaving McLaren at the end of 2022, Daniel became a reserve driver for Red Bull in 2023. Later in 2023, he returned to racing with AlphaTauri (which became RB in 2024). He raced for them until he was replaced by Liam Lawson after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
Daniel Ricciardo achieved 8 race wins, 3 pole positions, 16 fastest laps, and 32 podium finishes in Formula One. He retired from motor racing in 2025. After his retirement, he became a global ambassador for Ford Racing. In 2022, Daniel was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia for his achievements.
Contents
- Early Life and Racing Beginnings
- Junior Racing Career
- Formula One Career
- Driver Profile
- Personal Life
- Awards and Honours
- Racing Career Summary
- Images for kids
- See also
Early Life and Racing Beginnings
Daniel Joseph Ricciardo was born in Perth, Western Australia, on July 1, 1989. His parents are Italian-Australian. His father, Joe, moved to Australia from Italy when he was seven. Daniel's mother, Grace, was born in Australia, but her parents were also from Italy. Daniel has one sister, Michelle. When he was young, Daniel watched his father race cars at a track near their home. He went to high school at Newman College. Daniel began kart racing when he was nine years old.
Junior Racing Career
Karting and Early Championships
Daniel started karting at age nine and quickly became very good. In 2005, he won the Australian karting championship. This win gave him a special pass to the 2006 Australian Grand Prix. There, he got to see the world of Formula One up close.
After karting, Daniel moved into different junior racing series. He raced in Formula Ford and Formula Renault. In 2008, he won the Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup. The next year, in 2009, he became the champion of the British Formula 3 Championship. These wins showed everyone that Daniel was a rising star in motorsports.
Formula Renault 3.5 Series
In 2010, Daniel joined the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. He had a fantastic first season, winning four races and taking eight pole positions. He finished second in the championship, missing out on the title by just two points. This strong performance caught the eye of Formula One teams.
Formula One Career
Red Bull Test Driver (2009–2011)
Daniel first drove a Formula One car in a test session in 2009. He impressed everyone by setting the fastest time. In 2011, he became a test and reserve driver for Scuderia Toro Rosso. This meant he got to practice with the team during Grand Prix weekends.
HRT (2011)
In the middle of the 2011 season, Daniel got his big chance to race in Formula One. He joined the Hispania Racing team for the last eleven races. He made his debut at the British Grand Prix. Even though HRT was a smaller team, Daniel showed his potential.
Toro Rosso (2012–2013)
For the 2012 season, Daniel earned a full-time racing seat with Scuderia Toro Rosso. He scored his first Formula One points at the Australian Grand Prix. He continued to improve in 2013, often finishing in the top ten. His strong performances led to a promotion to the main Red Bull team.
Red Bull (2014–2018)
2014: First Wins and Podium Finishes
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In 2014, Daniel joined Red Bull alongside four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. He quickly showed his talent, finishing on the podium in Spain and Monaco. At the Canadian Grand Prix, he achieved his first Formula One victory! He then won two more races in Hungary and Belgium. Daniel finished third in the championship, proving he was one of the best drivers.
2015: A Challenging Season
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The 2015 season was tougher for Red Bull, and Daniel did not win any races. The car struggled with its engine, making it hard to compete at the front. Despite the challenges, Daniel still managed to get two podium finishes in Hungary and Singapore. He used this season to become an even stronger driver.
2016: More Victories and a Famous Celebration
The 2016 season saw Red Bull become more competitive. Daniel earned his first-ever pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix. He led much of the race but a slow pit stop cost him the win, and he finished second. Later that year, he won the Malaysian Grand Prix, his first victory in over two years. Daniel also became known for his "shoey" celebration, where he would drink champagne from his racing boot on the podium! He finished third in the championship again.
2017: Consistent Podiums and Another Win
Daniel continued to perform well in 2017, securing many podium finishes. He had a memorable win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, coming from far back in the race. Despite some mechanical problems with his car, he finished fifth in the championship.
2018: Final Red Bull Wins and a Big Move
In 2018, Daniel won two more races for Red Bull, in China and Monaco. The Monaco win was especially sweet, as it made up for his disappointment there in 2016. However, he faced many mechanical issues throughout the season, which led to several retirements. At the end of the season, Daniel announced he would be leaving Red Bull to join the Renault team.
Renault (2019–2020)
2019: A New Challenge
Daniel joined Renault in 2019, looking for a fresh start. The team was still growing, and Daniel aimed to help them improve. He scored points in several races, with his best finish being fourth at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite some challenges, he remained optimistic about the team's future.
2020: Podium Finishes with Renault
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The 2020 season was a strong one for Daniel with Renault. He achieved two podium finishes, one at the Eifel Grand Prix and another at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. These were Renault's first podiums in many years. Daniel finished fifth in the championship, showing great form before moving to a new team.
McLaren (2021–2022)
2021: Italian Grand Prix Victory
In 2021, Daniel joined McLaren to race alongside Lando Norris. His biggest highlight was winning the Italian Grand Prix. This was McLaren's first victory in Formula One since 2012, and it was a truly special moment for Daniel. Despite this win, he found it challenging to consistently adapt to the car throughout the season.
2022: Departure from McLaren
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The 2022 season was difficult for Daniel at McLaren. He struggled to find consistent performance, and the team announced that he would leave at the end of the year. He finished the season with a strong fifth place at the Singapore Grand Prix. Daniel stated that he planned to stay involved in Formula One and hoped to return to racing in the future.
Red Bull Reserve Driver and AlphaTauri / RB (2023–2024)
2023: Return to Racing
Daniel rejoined Red Bull as a reserve driver for 2023. His role included simulator work and testing. In July 2023, he made a surprise return to racing with AlphaTauri, replacing another driver. He scored points for the team at the Mexico City Grand Prix, showing he still had speed. However, he broke a bone in his hand during a practice session at the Dutch Grand Prix, which made him miss several races.
2024: Final Season
Daniel continued with the team, which was rebranded as RB, for the 2024 season. He had some strong moments, including a fourth-place finish in the sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix. He also scored points in Canada, Austria, and Belgium. However, after the Singapore Grand Prix, it was announced that Daniel would be replaced by Liam Lawson. This marked the end of his Formula One racing career.
Driver Profile
Driving Style
Daniel Ricciardo is known for his exciting and aggressive driving style. He is especially good at making late braking moves to overtake other cars. He likes to carry a lot of speed through corners, making his car dance on the edge of control.
Personal Life
Daniel pronounces his last name "Ricardo," which is how it was commonly said when he grew up in Australia. He chose the number 3 as his racing number in Formula One to honor Dale Earnhardt, a famous NASCAR driver. Daniel supports the West Coast Eagles, an Australian rules football team. He is also a big fan of the UFC and the American football team, the Buffalo Bills.
Daniel is in a relationship with Heidi Berger. In 2019, he started his own kart racing series, the Daniel Ricciardo Series (DRS). This series helps young drivers aged 7-16 get into karting. Daniel retired from motor racing in September 2025. He then became a global ambassador for Ford Racing.
Awards and Honours
Formula One
- Lorenzo Bandini Trophy: 2014
Other Awards
- Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough Performance of the Year: 2015
- GQ Australia Sportsman of the Year: 2014
- Confartigianato Motori Driver of the Year: 2014, 2018
- BRDC Bruce McLaren Trophy: 2013, 2014, 2016
- BRDC Innes Ireland Trophy: 2014, 2015
Orders and Special Awards
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Special Awards
- Confartigianato Motori Legend of F1 Award: 2024
Racing Career Summary
| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Western Australian Formula Ford Championship | Privateer | 3 | 0 | 0 | ? | 0 | 74 | 8th |
| Australian Formula Ford Championship | Fastlane Racing | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
| 2006 | Formula BMW Asia | Eurasia Motorsport | 19 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 231 | 3rd |
| Formula BMW UK | Motaworld Racing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 20th | |
| Formula BMW World Final | Fortec Motorsport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 5th | |
| 2007 | Formula Renault 2.0 Italy | RP Motorsport | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 196 | 6th |
| Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | ||
| 2008 | Formula Renault 2.0 WEC | SG Formula | 15 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 192 | 1st |
| Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 136 | 2nd | ||
| Formula 3 Euro Series | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | NC | ||
| Masters of Formula 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | NC | ||
| 2009 | British Formula 3 Championship | Carlin Motorsport | 20 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 275 | 1st |
| Masters of Formula 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | NC | ||
| Formula Renault 3.5 Series | Tech 1 Racing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34th | |
| Macau Grand Prix | Carlin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | NC | |
| 2010 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series | Tech 1 Racing | 17 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 136 | 2nd |
| 2011 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series | ISR | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 144 | 5th |
| Formula One | HRT Formula 1 Team | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27th | |
| 2012 | Formula One | Scuderia Toro Rosso | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 18th |
| 2013 | Formula One | Scuderia Toro Rosso | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 14th |
| 2014 | Formula One | Infiniti Red Bull Racing | 19 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 238 | 3rd |
| 2015 | Formula One | Infiniti Red Bull Racing | 19 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 92 | 8th |
| 2016 | Formula One | Red Bull Racing | 21 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 256 | 3rd |
| 2017 | Formula One | Red Bull Racing | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 200 | 5th |
| 2018 | Formula One | Aston Martin Red Bull Racing | 21 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 170 | 6th |
| 2019 | Formula One | Renault F1 Team | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 9th |
| 2020 | Formula One | Renault DP World F1 Team | 17 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 119 | 5th |
| 2021 | Formula One | McLaren F1 Team | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 115 | 8th |
| 2022 | Formula One | McLaren F1 Team | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 11th |
| 2023 | Formula One | Scuderia AlphaTauri | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 17th |
| 2024 | Formula One | Visa Cash App RB F1 Team | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 17th |
Images for kids
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Ricciardo in 2024
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Ricciardo in October 2009
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Ricciardo in the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series at the Circuit Paul Ricard
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Ricciardo as Scuderia Toro Rosso's third driver at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo racing for HRT at the 2011 Italian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo driving for Toro Rosso at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo at the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo at the 2014 Spanish Grand Prix
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Ricciardo at the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo after winning the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo at the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo suffered six reliability-related retirements in 2018.
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Ricciardo at the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo at the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix
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Ricciardo at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix
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Ricciardo at the 2022 French Grand Prix
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Ricciardo at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix
See also
In Spanish: Daniel Ricciardo para niños
