Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed he’ll be making a return to the racing scene later this month, with a visit to the Indianapolis 500 as a fan. The former F1 driver said the upcoming trip is already bringing back strong feelings as he prepares to experience one of motorsport’s biggest events from the sidelines.
Ricciardo stepped away from full-time racing after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix and has largely stayed out of the F1 spotlight since. In that time, he’s focused on personal projects and commercial work, including a role as an ambassador for Ford Racing and expanding his wine business. Despite being away from the grid, he remains one of the most recognized faces in motorsport.
His first trip to the Indy 500 will be as a spectator, not a competitor or team member. On Conor Daly’s “Speed Street” podcast, Ricciardo explained that he’s looking forward to simply taking in the atmosphere and seeing the race from a new perspective.
He credited Daly’s stories about the event for convincing him to go, saying it sparked a level of excitement he hasn’t felt for a race in years. Ricciardo compared the feeling to the way he felt as a child discovering motorsport for the first time.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I haven’t been this excited to attend a race in a long time. It’s different because I’m not there to work. I just want to enjoy it.”
The Australian’s popularity hasn’t faded since leaving F1, and his occasional appearances still generate plenty of attention from fans. While he’s not planning a racing comeback, his ambassador role with Ford keeps him linked to the wider motorsport community.
Ricciardo spent over a decade in Formula 1, winning races with Red Bull and McLaren and becoming known for his aggressive overtaking and fan-friendly personality. His exit after Singapore 2024 closed a long chapter in his career, and since then he’s been more selective about public appearances.
The Indianapolis 500, held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is one of the most famous races in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans. For Ricciardo, attending without the pressure of racing offers a chance to experience the event in a way he never has before.
He didn’t say if he’d meet with teams or drivers during the visit, but made it clear the focus is on enjoying the race as a fan. The 109th running of the Indy 500 takes place later this month, and Ricciardo’s presence will give fans another chance to see him in the paddock environment, even if he’s not behind the wheel.