Daniel Ricciardo Jumps Ford Raptor in First Post-F1 Racing Appearance

Daniel Ricciardo made his first competitive appearance since retiring from Formula 1, participating in Ford's Raptor Rally and celebrating with a massive airborne jump. As a new Ford brand ambassador, the Australian driver fully embraced the off-road experience in Arizona, drawing cheers from marshals with a stunt that was reportedly "double what anyone has done all day."

Why it matters:

This event marks Ricciardo's first motorsport appearance since his F1 career concluded at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. It highlights his active new role with Ford and keeps the popular driver connected to the racing world, signaling a new and exciting chapter in his career beyond the grand prix grid.

The details:

• The event took place at Lake Havasu, Arizona, where Ricciardo joined a rally of nearly 1,000 Ford F-150 Raptors for high-speed desert runs.
• The highlight was a significant jump on the second day. After a modest first attempt, Ricciardo admitted "a little bit of ego overtook me" before going much bigger.
• His co-driver burst into laughter as they landed, and a marshal reportedly commented, "That was double what anyone has done all day."
• Beyond driving, Ricciardo also experienced the event as a passenger with professional off-road drivers in a Raptor R and the Ford Raptor T1+. He described the experience as "really fun" but also admitted he was "pretty scared."

What's next:

Ricciardo appears to be thriving in his post-F1 life, genuinely enjoying the community and thrill of off-roading. His enthusiastic participation strongly suggests we'll see more of him with Ford, potentially in more rally or off-road events, as he successfully carves out a new path for himself in motorsport.