Daniel Ricciardo makes first race track appearance since F1 exit

Daniel Ricciardo has offered a life update on his first trackside appearance following his exit from the F1 grid.

Ricciardo departed the field at the conclusion of the Singapore Grand Prix last year, having endured a challenging stint with the RB team.

The Australian has kept a low-profile ever since, but recently travelled to Buckmore Park for the latest round of the Daniel Ricciardo Series - a karting competition held across the United Kingdom.

Ricciardo asserted he is taking enjoyment from having life away from the F1 spotlight.

“All good!” said Ricciardo. “I’m just enjoying some life in the slow lane. 

“I mean, it sounds weird saying like retirement when I’m 35 years old, but retirement from at least the world I was living in. It’s cool.

“To be at the kart track… it’s my first time at a race track since I guess Singapore, so quite a few months now. But it’s cool to see the kids. This is why I started karting.

“I’ve had photos with groups of the kids and I can tell the friendships they have, and these friendships will last a lifetime a lot of them. 

“My best friend to this day was a friend that I raced karts with. It’s nice to be back at like the grassroots of it and the most pure form of racing.”

Ricciardo's appearance at the track gave an opportunity for the young karters to meet the former F1 driver.

The eight-time grand prix winner stated it took him back to a time when he was competing at the junior level and having the opportunity to meet figures he admired.

“I think now that I’m a bit removed from it and life is not as chaotic, it’s nice to remember what it was like to be at the start of the career,” he explained. “We all have idols and heroes.

“I would be very nervous meeting someone who I admired, so I understand sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming. But everyone seems pretty cool. I guess maybe I’m not the only driver they’ve met before – there’s a lot of F1 fans here.”