Daniel Ricciardo, recognizable by his significantly fuller beard, made a rare public appearance this weekend in Monte Carlo alongside McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Mercedes driver George Russell. The gathering took place during a padel session at the Monte Carlo International Sports complex, signaling Ricciardo’s return to the public eye after maintaining a low profile since his departure from Formula 1 last season.
Piastri, who replaced Ricciardo at McLaren in 2023, shared a photo on Instagram capturing the moment, with Russell casually resting his arm around Ricciardo. Also joining the group was Australian Olympic snowboarder Scott James, a close friend of Ricciardo’s. The image highlighted a relaxed social setting away from the racing circuit, with Ricciardo’s beard standing out as a new feature since his Formula 1 days.
Ricciardo’s Shift from Racing to New Ventures
Ricciardo, who parted ways with Red Bull Racing after last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, has distanced himself from returning to competitive racing. Although he recently reflected on testing retirement, he made it clear that stepping away from the sport permanently is not his path.
In a notable career pivot, Ricciardo has launched a new venture involving a partnership with gambling organization Dabble. This initiative, dubbed ‘Dabble Dan’s Tailgate Party,’ offers a unique competition where the winner and a guest will fly from any major UK airport to Austin, Texas, stay for three nights, and attend an American football tailgate event with VIP access and a chance to meet Ricciardo in person.
Ricciardo promoted the new effort on Instagram, stating,
“I’ve teamed up with the legends at Dabble to start a tailgate business… Check it out at DabbleDan.com.”
—Daniel Ricciardo
Further comments from Ricciardo reveal that after retiring from racing, he tried a quieter lifestyle involving golf, gardening, and rest but soon felt the urge to pursue something new.
“But then I got that itch. You know? I needed to do something. I missed the buzz. The energy.”
—Daniel Ricciardo
He described his decision to embrace his “TRUE passion” with this new business, inviting anyone aged 21 or over to apply through his website.
Oscar Piastri’s Rising Profile in Formula 1
Oscar Piastri continues to build an impressive F1 career, having already secured five Grand Prix wins in the 2025 season. He is just one victory shy of equaling Ricciardo’s career total of eight race wins. Additionally, Piastri has matched the record for the most race wins by an Australian in a single season, joining the ranks of World Champions Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones who achieved five race wins in 1960 and 1980, respectively.
With such momentum, Piastri is considered a strong candidate to become the most successful Australian Formula 1 driver of this century. Despite the growing statistics, he downplays their importance compared to his ambition in the sport.
“Whilst those stats are cool, that’s ultimately not why I’m here,”
—Oscar Piastri
“I’m here to try and win even more races and fight for a championship. So I think there are some cooler statistics to come.”
—Oscar Piastri
The Significance of Their Monte Carlo Appearance and Future Prospects
This Monte Carlo gathering marks a notable moment as Daniel Ricciardo gradually steps into life beyond Formula 1 while maintaining ties with key figures like Oscar Piastri and George Russell. Ricciardo’s venture into the tailgate event business reflects a shift toward entrepreneurship, combining his public profile and passion for sports culture in a fresh way.
Meanwhile, Piastri’s growing achievements on the track suggest a promising future for Australian motorsport, as he aims to surpass milestones set by his predecessors and fellow compatriot Ricciardo. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see if Piastri can maintain his upward trajectory and vie for the championship title ahead.