While the Australian GP is back as the season opener for the 2025 F1 campaign, it will be going ahead without Daniel Ricciardo being a part of the grid. Despite gunning to return to Red Bull over the past year and a half, Ricciardo eventually got sacked by RB last season and that almost seemed like the end of his memorable F1 career.Regardless, the Honey Badger was always a cheerful individual and the face of the Australian GP.
He had been lighting up the F1 paddock with his positive energy over the past decade. Even when he was out of a seat post his McLaren exit at the start of 2023, Ricciardo visited the paddock in Melbourne for the Grand Prix weekend.Back then, he was a reserve driver for Red Bull, though.
So, what could make the 35-year-old land at Albert Park this time around? From his recent social media activity, it is clear that Ricciardo is in Melbourne to set up a pop-up shop of Enchante clothing merchandise.So, it isn’t a far-fetched possibility that the Perth-born driver may swing by the F1 paddock to just greet the fans and catch up with some of his mates like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Ricciardo’s manager, Blake Friend, was in the paddock on Thursday, and F1 photographer Kym Illman did inquire whether the eight-time Grand Prix winner would show up.
“I did actually ask him whether we’re likely to see Daniel at the track. He took a second or so to respond and said no,” Illman said in his latest YouTube video. “Don’t expect to see Daniel Ricciar.
