It was late at night in Singapore, September 2024, and the air felt heavy. Daniel Ricciardo sat in his cockpit, staring at nothing, just soaking in the humidity and the engine heat. He’d just snagged the fastest lap of the race—a final "cheers" to the paddock—but everyone knew. The "Honey Badger" was done. It wasn’t the fairytale ending he’d planned when he crawled back into the Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull family a year earlier. Honestly, it was kinda heartbreaking to watch.
The 2018 Mistake and the Long Road Back
Most people look at Ricciardo’s career and point to one moment: the 2018 summer break. He had a contract on the table from Red Bull that would have paid him exactly what Max Verstappen was making. Christian Horner later revealed that Dietrich Mateschitz himself had green-lit the deal. But Daniel walked. He was tired of the "Max show" and the engine reliability issues. He went to Renault, then McLaren, and basically lost his magic along the way.
By the time 2023 rolled around, he was back as a reserve driver. He looked refreshed. That legendary tire test at Silverstone—the one where he supposedly set a time fast enough for the front row—convinced Horner to dump Nyck de Vries and put Daniel in the AlphaTauri (later RB) seat. The goal was simple: prove you’re still better than Sergio Perez and take the big seat in 2025.
It didn't work.
Why the Comeback Stalled
He struggled. There’s no other way to put it. While he had flashes of brilliance—like that P4 in the Miami Sprint—the consistency just wasn't there. Yuki Tsunoda, his younger teammate, was frequently outqualifying him.
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Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s notorious talent scout, was reportedly ready to pull the plug as early as the Spanish Grand Prix in June 2024. Horner fought to keep him in the car, hoping for a miracle that never arrived. By the time they reached Singapore, the data was clear. Red Bull needed to see what Liam Lawson could do, and Daniel was the one who had to make way.
The New Reality: Life as a Ford Ambassador
Fast forward to January 2026. The racing suit is in the closet, but the Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull connection isn't actually dead. It’s just... different.
While Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen are preparing for the 2026 season opener, Daniel has found a massive new role as a Global Racing Ambassador for Ford. Since Ford is Red Bull’s new engine partner for the 2026 regulations, Daniel is essentially the face of the technical alliance. He’s spending a lot of time in Detroit and at the Red Bull Powertrains facility in Milton Keynes. He’s basically the bridge between the American marketing machine and the Austrian racing team.
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- Role: Global Ambassador for Ford Racing.
- Focus: Promoting the Raptor brand and the 2026 Power Unit partnership.
- Presence: He’s still a frequent guest at the Red Bull livery launches (like the recent 2026 event in Detroit).
It’s a smart move. He gets to keep the smile, keep the sponsors, and stay away from the brutal pressure of a mid-field qualifying session on a rainy Saturday in Spa.
What Most Fans Get Wrong
A lot of fans still think Daniel was "fired" because he was slow. That’s only half the truth. In F1, you aren't just compared to the grid; you're compared to the future. Red Bull has a massive backlog of junior talent like Arvid Lindblad and Isack Hadjar. If Daniel wasn't clearly better than Sergio Perez, he was taking up space that a 19-year-old could be using to learn.
Red Bull is a business, and while they love Daniel’s personality, they don't give away seats for vibes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the trajectory of the Red Bull driver program or Daniel's career, keep these points in mind:
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- Watch the Ford Branding: Daniel isn't just a "former driver" anymore; he is a key part of how Ford justifies its billion-dollar F1 entry. Expect to see him in more off-road and lifestyle content than actual paddock technical debriefs.
- The "Perez" Effect: The reason Daniel didn't get the 2025 seat wasn't just his own form; it was the timing of Sergio Perez’s contract and the commercial stability he brings to the team in North America.
- Look at the 2026 Livery: Notice how much "Ford" is on the car. Daniel’s fingerprints are all over that partnership's marketing strategy.
The era of the "Honey Badger" on the podium might be over, but the Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull story is surprisingly far from finished. He’s just traded the steering wheel for a headset and a global stage. Honestly, seeing him at the 2026 launch looking happy and relaxed? It might be the best version of Daniel we've seen in years.
To stay updated on Daniel's specific work with the 2026 power units, monitor the Ford Performance official announcements and the "Red Bull Behind the Charge" documentary series, which is expected to feature his transition from the cockpit to the boardroom.