Australian racing icon Daniel Ricciardo has officially retired from competitive motorsport and taken on a powerful new role as Global Ambassador for Ford Racing, the high-performance division of Ford Motor Company. The announcement, made on September 5, 2025, coincided with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza—a venue where Ricciardo famously claimed victory for McLaren in 2021.
Ricciardo, age 36, brings to this role both his star power and deep personal passion. In an open blog post featured on the Ford Racing website, he wrote: “While my racing days are behind me, my love for anything with wheels will always remain high, and for that I am proud to be partnering with Ford to become a Global Ford Racing Ambassador.”
He further emphasized his ongoing connection to motorsports and his desire to remain authentically engaged: “When I decided it was time to retire, I thought long and hard about finding the most authentic way to stay connected to the world of motorsports. For me, racing was always about having fun. It made me happy and created memories that will last a lifetime.”
Ricciardo will work closely with the Ford Racing team, especially spotlighting the iconic Ford Raptor line. Known for their rugged performance and lifestyle appeal—from the Bronco Raptor to the F-150 Raptor R—these vehicles occupy a unique niche in Ford’s off-road branding strategy. The role is expected to involve visible promotion across Ford’s off-road ventures, including marketing campaigns, video content, and live promotional events.
His affinity for the Raptor goes beyond mere marketing; Ricciardo has been a longtime owner and fan. He revealed that he bought his first Raptor in 2017, even before purchasing a home in the U.S. Reflecting on his introduction to Ford’s senior leadership, Ricciardo shared a personal anecdote: “After Ford announced it was partnering with Oracle Red Bull Racing, I came over to Dearborn and met senior leaders like Jim Farley (we had a ton of fun and a lot of laughs), but also had the chance to peek behind the curtain and see what was happening within your design department. Damn impressive.”
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From Ford’s perspective, this is more than a high-profile hire. Will Ford, Ford Racing’s general manager, stressed that Ricciardo’s involvement is rooted in authenticity: “This is not a marketing exercise. Daniel brings credibility and passion, and we’re excited to connect our racing and off-road worlds through him.”
Behind the headlines lies a rich background story. Ricciardo’s retirement was quietly confirmed following his last competitive F1 appearance at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix with the Racing Bulls, a Red Bull–affiliated team. His final season was marked by struggles and eventual replacement by Liam Lawson. Since stepping away from the cockpit, Ricciardo has been on a journey of self-discovery—looking for meaningful ways to stay connected to motorsport without returning to full-time competition.
His new role with Ford also dovetails with the brand’s strategic return to F1. From 2026 onwards, Ford will be the engine partner for Red Bull Racing, further extending Ricciardo’s ties to the team where he enjoyed much of his success.