Apart from his on-track performances, Ricciardo has also maintained a vibrant personality off the track. The Australian has delivered numerous unforgettable moments, from his quirky quotes and jokes in press conferences to immersing himself in the culture at Austin, and even getting a tattoo of a fellow driver’s face on his arm.
Let us take a look at 5 moments that made the Australian a popular F1 driver.
The Iconic Shoey
Ricciardo cemented his status as one of F1’s top drivers after the 2014 Canadian GP, and in 2016, he secured third place in the championship for the second time in three years. That season also saw him win in Malaysia, but his podium at Hockenheimring two months earlier stood out as he introduced the now-famous “shoey” celebration.
Daniel Ricciardo’s shoey, you’ll always be famous 🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/QZmpQiRU0V
— 🐯 (@stopbeingthem) July 10, 2023
The shoey is a distinctively Australian tradition where a driver celebrates by drinking champagne from their race-worn shoe on the podium. It certainly took everyone by surprise, but the moment became a lifelong memory. From then on, whenever Ricciardo landed on the podium, he celebrated with a shoey.
Elevating Secret Santa to a whole new level
At the end of the season, fans can always look forward to the F1 drivers’ Secret Santa, and the 2021 edition was particularly amusing thanks to Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso. After drawing Ricciardo’s name, Alonso initially claimed he wasn’t sure what gift to give.
Ultimately, he humorously decided on temporary tattoos featuring his own face, perfect for enthusiast Ricciardo. It ended in plenty of laughs as Ricciardo proudly showed Alonso’s face on his arm around the paddock.
Arriving at Austin GP…..on a horse
During the United States Grand Prix in 2022, Ricciardo arguably made one of the most memorable arrivals to an F1 weekend. McLaren posted a video on their social media showcasing Ricciardo’s entrance on a horse, accompanied by a country singer. Clad in cowboy boots, an American flag jacket, and a cowboy hat, he captured the attention of the fans with his epic entrance.
"This is Daniel's last race"
Daniel, riding into Cota with the full cowboy getup: pic.twitter.com/P1og1qs862
— Levi³ ⁸¹ 🤠 | M4X 🏎 (@C0WBOYRIC3) September 21, 2024
The season ended up being his last with the Papayas before switching to the sister Red Bull team Alpha Tauri (currently Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team).
Press Conference Comedian
In addition to his well-known remarks while racing, Ricciardo was also recognized for his humor off the track, with many entertaining moments occurring during drivers’ press conferences, courtesy of the eight-time race winner. It’s no surprise, then, that he prominently appears in our compilation of the funniest press conferences from previous years below.
1) daniel ricciardo being impressed by how quick lando norris got changed
2) him literally becoming VERY sad after he heard there are no brownies
3) “i completely forgot your question”LMAO DANIEL YOU’RE SO STUPID 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/wP33q2LvGj
— e③ (@ricciardopics) October 8, 2021
“Piiiierreee Gassssly”
The good-natured Australian is the comedian of the grid, with his infectious smile and ongoing banter with fellow drivers contributing to his likable persona. One consistent highlight of Ricciardo’s playful exchanges with the drivers is his announcement of Pierre Gasly.
𝘈 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘐𝘌𝘙𝘙𝘙𝘙𝘌𝘌𝘌𝘌𝘌 𝘎𝘈𝘚𝘓𝘓𝘠𝘠𝘠𝘠𝘠 pic.twitter.com/woLgPG0P8z
— 𝑴𝒂𝒋𝒂 ⁵⁵🐝 🇸🇮 (@sainz_only) June 13, 2022
On numerous occasions and during interviews, we’ve witnessed Ricciardo enthusiastically exclaiming “Piiiierreee Gassssly” whenever he spots the Frenchman, a playful tradition that has persisted between the two for quite some time.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
