The Honey Badger

‘Daniel Ricciardo: the only driver who can smile while overtaking you at 200 mph and still make you like him for it.’

Official: Daniel Ricciardo has been dropped, and Liam Lawson will replace him.

‘I saw him before he left, and I knew at that point that he wasn’t going to come back.’

He was like, ‘Make sure you take it with both hands. Good luck; there are absolutely no hard feelings. It’s the way the sport is.’ – Liam Lawson.

Daniel Ricciardo earned the nickname ‘Honey Badger’ for his fearless, tenacious, and courageous nature, similar to the animal itself.

The honey badger is known for its boldness, never backing down, which mirrors Ricciardo’s attitude on and off the track.

Ricciardo’s aggressive approach, particularly his late braking overtakes, became legendary.

Just like a honey badger, he fearlessly attacked corners and opponents, making daring moves many other drivers wouldn’t even attempt.

Known for his relentless pursuit of success, Ricciardo fought for every position, embodying the honey badger’s toughness. No matter the odds, he never backed down from a challenge, even when racing in difficult circumstances.

The Smiling Assassin

Ricciardo was friendly, funny, and charming off the track—always sporting his trademark smile.

But he transformed into a fierce competitor on the track, much like the honey badger’s ability to switch from playful to deadly serious.

Ricciardo joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2008, debuted in Formula 1 with HRT in 2011, and soon impressed at Toro Rosso before replacing Mark Webber at Red Bull Racing in 2014.

During his Red Bull stint (2014-2018), Ricciardo claimed seven Grand Prix victories, becoming a master of late braking and daring overtakes. His fearless attitude and rivalry with teammate Max Verstappen made him a fan favourite.

Tensions with Verstappen led to a dramatic exit in 2018. Despite being offered a contract, Ricciardo felt overshadowed and left for Renault, seeking new challenges and fresh opportunities.

Ricciardo’s path through Renault and McLaren brought mixed results and memorable moments, including a stunning win at Monza in 2021.

His return to the Red Bull family with AlphaTauri in 2023 completed a remarkable full-circle moment in his career.

Known as one of the most likeable figures in the paddock, Ricciardo’s talent, humour, and passion for racing have endeared him to fans worldwide. His career reflects a fearless drive for growth, never afraid to take risks or push boundaries.

Daniel Ricciardo embodies the honey badger’s spirit—fearless, determined, and always ready for a fight, no matter the odds.

Asked by the media whether his bright personality ever makes him feel misunderstood, Ricciardo replied, ‘Yeah, I think it was really my first year at Red Bull back in 2014.’

‘I was very aware of that and felt it in some drivers. Some drivers were probably laughing at me and thinking, ‘ Oh, what’s Red Bull done here? This young kid with curly hair smiles laughs a lot and might be quick on one lap, but we’re just going to bully him in a race situation.’

‘I definitely felt that, and maybe I orchestrated some of it in my head to give myself a point to prove, and I think that’s where I adopted the ‘Honey Badger’.

The Daniel Ricciardo we saw on Netflix is the Daniel Ricciardo we saw in the paddock—friendly, chatty, funny, and engaging.

But beneath that lay a driver who was fiercely competitive and hugely talented.

Ricciardo is known for his daring, aggressive, and fearless approach on the track.

Late braking overtakes have become his signature move, allowing him to pass opponents in audacious, high-risk situations that many other drivers wouldn’t dare attempt.

The honey badger is famously tough and doesn’t back down from a fight, no matter the odds or the size of the opponent.

Daniel Ricciardo has a similar attitude in Formula 1.

He’s known for his relentless pursuit of success, always fighting for position and never giving up, even in tough situations or when the odds are stacked against him.

Ricciardo has openly admitted that he resonates with the honey badger’s characteristics.

He has talked about watching a documentary on the animal and admiring its sheer determination and toughness, traits he relates to his racing approach.

Ricciardo’s departure from Red Bull wasn’t a straightforward firing but a decision driven by changing team dynamics.

His ability to make brave career choices, combined with his raw talent, late-braking finesse, and charisma, ensures that Daniel Ricciardo remains one of F1’s most beloved characters—whether in victory or adversity.

He spoke at the Singapore GP’s end after taking the controversial fastest lap.

Daniel had a feeling it could have been his last. ‘I feel, let’s say, at peace with it.’

‘At some point, it’ll come for all of us. I tried to get back into Red Bull, but it didn’t work out, so I also have to say, what else am I ultimately doing here and trying to achieve?’

‘Let’s say maybe the fairytale ending didn’t happen, but I also have to look back on what it’s been. Fourteen or so years, and I’m proud.’

I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and has been a journey.

‘Thank you to the teams and individuals who have played their part. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me, ha-ha, thank you. It’ll always have its highs and lows, but it’s been fun, and truth be told, I wouldn’t change it.’

‘Until the next adventure.’

‘Daniel has been a true gentleman both on and off the track and never without that smile. He will be missed but always holds a special place within the Red Bull family.’

Danny Ric’s motto, ‘If you’re not late-braking, are you even really racing?’