Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo has officially retired from Formula One after a successful career spanning 14 seasons. Ricciardo, who raced for various teams including Red Bull, Renault, and McLaren, has confirmed that he will not be returning to the sport next season. Throughout his career, Ricciardo achieved impressive stats, with 8 race victories and 32 podium finishes. He also secured three pole positions.
Ricciardo's retirement comes after a challenging season in which he struggled with the performance of his Red Bull car. Sergio Perez, current Red Bull driver, recently expressed similar difficulties with the team's car, emphasizing that he couldn't do much over the past six months and was constantly at risk of being involved in accidents.
Meanwhile, Mercedes is planning a significant package of updates for the upcoming United States Grand Prix. The team aims to further enhance the performance of their car in a bid to stay competitive in the championship.
In other news, former team principal Eddie Jordan predicts podium finishes for Alpine F1 Team between the years 2026 and 2027. Jordan believes that Flavio Briatore, former Renault team boss, has the ability to work his magic and lead the team to success.
Furthermore, there are rumors that a company owned by Lewis Hamilton may become a sponsor for Ferrari. Hamilton's company currently produces "non-alcoholic tequila" and is reportedly in talks with the Italian team about a potential partnership.
While it remains to be seen what the future holds for Ricciardo after his retirement, he has been offered an ambassadorial role by Red Bull. However, the Australian driver has stated that he would not have achieved his remarkable success if he had stayed with the team.
Finally, for motorsport enthusiasts, the MotoGP calendar for the 2025 season has been released, featuring 22 Grand Prix races. The schedule includes the debut of Hungary as a host country and the return of the Czech Republic to the championship.
