Daniel Ricciardo leaves the door open for his NASCAR future amid uncertainties in F1: “I'd love to drive around Daytona”

Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo expressed his desire to experience or even drive in NASCAR's top-tier racing series once his F1 journey comes to an end. The 35-year-old speedster currently competes under the Australian flag for Racing Bulls S.p.A., an Italian F1 team.

Ricciardo's teammate Yuki Tsunoda will return behind the wheel of the No. 22 RB machine in 2025. However, Ricciardo's future in F1 remains uncertain as of now. The Perth native recently finished 13th at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Having picked up 12 points in the last 17 races, Ricciardo sits 14th in the driver's standings and 10 points behind Tsunoda. His best finish this season was a P8 finish at the Canadian GP in June.

In a recent interview reported by Joseph Srigley of Racing America, Ricciardo shed light on his plans when he retires from Formula 1.

"There's things I would like to try and experience, I don't know, let's say on a competitive level," Daniel Ricciardo said. "You know, I grew up a fan of NASCAR, I'd love to drive a NASCAR (car). I'd love to drive around Daytona (International Speedway) for example."

Trackhouse Racing, a two-car team that operates in the Cup Series, kickstarted PROJECT91 in 2022 with retired F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen behind the wheel of their No. 91 Chevy. PROJECT91 was brought under the spotlight solely to attract drivers from all over the world to compete in NASCAR.

Per journalist Adam Stern, Ricciardo knew about Trackhouse Racing's unique endeavor. Even Trackhouse Racing was interested in having the veteran racer as a part of their project. However, back then, Ricciardo was more focused on his F1 career.

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"I would probably get smoked"- Daniel Ricciardo on possible NASCAR entry

Daniel Ricciardo waves to the fans prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 15, 2024 (Source: Getty)

Stern said in the 2022 report that Daniel Ricciardo was not planning on making a one-time appearance in NASCAR anytime soon. Instead, the driver intended to grow his clothing brand, Enchanté, in the U.S.

With that said, if Ricciardo enters the arena of NASCAR, it would most likely be to compete rather than just doing a one-off. In the previous conversation via Racing America, Ricciardo said,

"Would I like to compete? Yes and no. But I also know that it's not what I grew up doing, and I would probably get smoked so like, I don't know if I need that, but I would love to experience it."

Ricciardo was equally interested in experiencing the Bathurst 1000 in a V8 Supercar.

"It's the V8 that does the race there," Ricciardo explained the same interview (via Sportsmax). "But you know there's the 12 hour and stuff, so maybe that's one I could compete in."

"If a V8 team said 'hey, do you want to do a few laps around Bathurst, no pressure, just to experience it', then I'll definitely take that up," he added.

Fans can only speculate about Daniel Ricciardo's entry in NASCAR. Will Ricciardo join the Trackhouse Racing roster like the three-time Bathurst 1000 winner Shane van Gisbergen did last year? Only time will tell.