Daniel Ricciardo is swapping Formula 1 circuits for Arizona desert trails. The Australian driver makes his debut as Ford’s Global Racing Ambassador at the 2025 Raptor Rally in Lake Havasu on October 24-25, less than a month after retiring from motorsport’s top series.
Ricciardo’s Ford connection runs deeper than typical celebrity endorsements. He bought his first Raptor in 2017, years before the ambassadorship, describing it as “freedom and everything I wanted as a kid.” The truck represented escape from F1’s rigid constraints, offering adventures that impressed him with capability and durability.
The Raptor Rally invites owners of Ford Ranger Raptor, Bronco Raptor, and F-150 Raptor models to bring their vehicles for curated off-road runs alongside fellow enthusiasts. Ricciardo won’t deliver impersonal stage appearances but instead plans to engage directly with owners passionate about their machines.
His clothing brand Enchante is partnering with Ford to launch limited edition apparel tied to the event, blending another passion into his new role. The collaboration suggests Ricciardo views this as more than a temporary retirement project.
The 36 year old raced with Red Bull from 2014 to 2018 before driving for Renault, McLaren, and Racing Bulls, where poor performance under Laurent Mekies’ leadership ended his F1 career. He recently parted with his Aston Martin Valkyrie, signaling a clean break from that chapter.
Ford announced Ricciardo as global ambassador last month, coinciding with news that Ford will partner with Red Bull from 2026, though Ricciardo won’t be involved in that technical collaboration. He’s not the only F1 star tied to Ford recently, with four-time world champion Max Verstappen also driving the Mustang GTD.
The rally represents a perfect launch platform for Ricciardo’s Ford relationship. Rather than corporate photo ops, he gets hands-on experience with the community that actually uses these vehicles as intended. His genuine enthusiasm for Raptors predating the sponsorship provides authenticity often missing from celebrity brand partnerships.
Ricciardo described the rally as an ultimate gathering for those who live and breathe off-road life, praising the camaraderie and shared stories. He’s heard about the joy of putting these machines through their paces in natural habitat and wants to experience it firsthand.
Whether this evolves into deeper Ford involvement or remains focused on performance trucks, Ricciardo seems to have found genuine post F1 direction rather than flailing through retirement. His car passion remains strong, just expressed differently now through off-road adventures instead of Grand Prix podiums.
