Eight time Formula 1 winner Daniel Ricciardo will shift his focus away from racing as he joins forces with the newly rebranded Ford Racing.
According to an open letter from the Australia native, he will become a Global Ford Racing Ambassador as he retires from motorsports. Ricciardo will work closely with the Ford Racing brand while particularly focusing on the Raptor brand and lifestyle.
Kicking back but always seeking the thrill. Nothing does it better than a Ford Raptor. Proud to be the newest ambassador of @FordRacing pic.twitter.com/QqJJTxXeuB
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) September 5, 2025
Why is the former F1 driver joining Ford Racing? He has multiple reasons, which he laid out in the open letter.
The first reason is that he bought a Ford Raptor back in 2017 before he purchased a home. The second is that he spent time with Ford CEO Jim Farley after Oracle Red Bull Racing announced it would partner with the blue oval in 2026 and beyond.
Ricciardo also spent time the Ford team in Cologne, Germany, where he met employees, watched crash tests, and participated in a town hall.
"Taking my bias for 'American-made' and deep love for trucks out of the equation, Raptor is becoming a global powerhouse," Ricciardo wrote. "I'm one of thousands of happy customers.
"Some of my favourite memories are road tripping behind the wheel of my Raptor, and I can't wait to add to my existing Raptor ownership, plus meet the customers who are equally passionate about their vehicles.
"I couldn't be more excited for all the amazing drives ahead with Ford and for all the incredible projects Ford Racing has in its pipeline. From F1 to Dakar and from Le Mans to Bathurst, few companies have been at this for as long as you guys have. From what I have seen, we have an incredible future ahead, and I am so proud to be joining the team."
This move makes sense from a Ford Racing perspective. The company moves into F1 next season through its partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing. Ricciardo spent several seasons with the team and has lifelong ties to the brand.
Additionally, the Australian became one of the sport's big stars through race wins and later with appearances on the Netflix series, "Formula 1: Drive to Survive."