- Daniel Ricciardo has revealed what sport he would choose if he weren’t in F1
- Australian proved why Western Australia is the best road trip destination
- Watch Ricciardo and his best friend Blake explore WA looking Drive the dream 2
The cutthroat business of Formula One can make it difficult for its stars not to be swallowed up by its all-consuming nature.
But off the track, home is where Daniel Ricciardo’s heart is.
The 35-year-old Perth-born RB driver has been determined to pursue a Formula One career since he started racing karts aged nine, but a trip back home has served as a reminder that the West Australian has plenty of potential.
Together with his best friend Blake, Ricciardo has explored the best that WA has to offer by embarking on the ultimate road trip across his stunning home state.
The F1 star travels down the Margaret River, where he takes part in an indigenous experience, goes surfing and mountain biking and enjoys the best produce the region has to offer while reconnecting with Blake.
And when asked by Daily Mail Australia if the trip revealed any hidden talents that could have led him to different sporting pursuits, Ricciardo ran through his options.
“No, I’m not going to say I’m very good at surfing,” he admitted. “Board sports are perhaps one of my weaknesses.”
‘I’m good on wheels and actually in ball sports, I think my hand-eye coordination is fine, but mountain biking would be something I’d be better at than surfing.
Western Australia Tourism Ambassador Daniel Ricciardo spoke about his favourite things about his home state
The Formula One driver went on an impressive road trip with his best friend Blake
Ricciardo particularly enjoyed surfing at Margaret River and mountain biking.
‘But I have some surfing buddies and I quickly said to them, “Oh, I surfed Margaret River!” and they said, “That’s cool, but I’m pretty sure you didn’t surf where we surfed!”
‘I love the outdoors, I love extreme sports, so surfing and mountain biking all in one trip is my idea of an amazing trip and an amazing vacation.
“I’m not going to say that I need to be a professional in any of those sports, but if I could play them every day, I would live a very happy life.”
Uncertainty surrounds Ricciardo’s future in Formula One, with the Australian yet to secure a seat for the 2025 season.
But he certainly finds serenity in Western Australia and is excited by the amazing activities available to visitors.
So where would the former Red Bull man take his Formula One team-mates, if they came along?
“It’s hard to pick one,” he said. “Surfing is a very Australian thing and we also have some amazing beaches to surf and experience it.”
The Australian says he sees himself living in his home state when he retires from Formula One
‘Not that it’s the only place, but I’d go back to the south-west and scare some drivers with some waves at Margaret River.
“If I could only do one thing, that would be it.”
During the trip, Ricciardo fell in love with Margaret River and revealed that it is where he wants to be when he decides to retire from F1.
“I feel like everyone feels very free and happy and, I don’t know, the way of life there is just my vision of retirement and what it should feel like is very similar to what I feel when I’m there,” she said.
Visitors to Western Australia can follow in the footsteps of Daniel and Blake. Qantas offers daily non-stop flights from London Heathrow Airport to Perth.
