Reasons Daniel Ricciardo Might Contemplate a Return at Le Mans

Last month marked two years since Daniel Ricciardo’s last competitive outing, as the eight-time grand prix champion quietly exited Formula 1 – but is his career truly finished?

Ricciardo acknowledges that it likely is, having reconciled with the manner of his F1 departure – “I’m not 100% there, but I’m 90%,” he shared regarding his search for closure – yet he may still be open to new possibilities, provided they don’t involve a full season commitment.

“A year ago, I would have said, ‘I will never wear a helmet again, I’m done, that’s it’,” Ricciardo told the Beyond The Grid podcast. “But there’s something within me where I feel it would be nice to conclude my racing career on my terms; to engage in something that, when I take the helmet off, brings a smile to my face. Perhaps that’s the final piece of closure I need.

“The idea of competing in a full championship still doesn’t sound particularly thrilling. Probably something like a one-off, such as Le Mans.

“F1 is incredibly self-serving – and rightly so. Yes, you have team-mates, but they’re your primary rivals and all that. I think sharing a car with other drivers and having genuine team-mates to exchange data and support each other would be – especially now, at this stage where that intense drive and ruthlessness have waned somewhat. I believe I would enjoy it. It would be the kind of driving and camaraderie that I would truly appreciate, and I think it would rekindle my joy and passion for competition.”

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

Ricciardo clarified that he never derived much joy from driving itself, but rather from the thrill of competition, although his enthusiasm waned during his final years in F1. Le Mans might offer a fresh avenue for fulfillment, but the Australian – who hasn’t been training as rigorously as before – approaches that prospect with caution. 

“Do I need to reopen that chapter? I’m not sure,” Ricciardo reflected. “That’s why I haven’t hurried into making any decisions, because I want to ensure it’s not out of ego or for some fairy-tale conclusion. It must resonate with me internally, and I really want to pursue it, not to satisfy others.

“I won’t lie; there’s a part of me that would love to do it for all the people who have cared for, supported, and loved me throughout the years, as well as those who were discontented with how it ended. So, yes, I certainly feel for the fans, but it fundamentally has to be for my own reasons first and foremost.

“That’s the challenging aspect – would it reopen that chapter? I don’t think it will; as I mentioned, I’m much more at peace with everything, but then again, who am I kidding? Would I go to Le Mans just to compete and enjoy being there, or would I go to win?

“As much as I want to say, ‘Oh, just be happy and soak in the experience’, we all know that once the helmet is on, it’s a different story. I can’t deny that I would want to approach it with a serious mindset. And that’s perhaps something I need to come to terms with – is my heart fully in it?”