- The F1 veteran is at a professional crossroads after a terrible season
- There may not be a boost for 2025 as places fill up quickly
- The latest announcement shows that it has a contingency plan
If Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 career falls apart at the end of this season, he has a pretty handy back-up option after signing a major deal with a leading Australian brand.
The 35-year-old’s future as a driver remains up in the air, although he has indicated that he is interested in continuing to compete despite his difficulties in 2024.
However, his love of wine may become his new passion after signing a deal to stock his own line of DR3 wines in Dan Murphy’s liquor stores nationwide.
Ricciardo has released a fun new video announcing the partnership, taking it all a bit too far in typical Daniel Ricciardo style as he is seen taking over an entire Dan Murphy’s store.
Daniel Ricciardo admires his handiwork as he takes over an entire Dan Murphy’s store in the ad.
Ricciardo even replaces Dan Murphy’s iconic branding with his own image.
In the ad, Ricciardo is relaxing, enjoying a glass of red wine when his agent calls him.
The agent tells the F1 star that he has a PR appointment at 2pm and that Australian liquor chain Dan Murphy’s has called him.
He tells Ricciardo that they are willing to stock his brand of reds and will even dedicate “an entire line…” to his wines before the line breaks at a crucial point.
“My own shop?” Ricciardo gasps.
—No, yours… —the agent answers as the line crackles again.
Ricciardo is then filmed taking over an entire Dan Murphy’s store, even changing the iconic logo to feature his own face and rebranding the store as ‘Dan Ricciardo’s’.
Pallets of Ricciardo brand red wine are transported on forklifts in the shopping area.
Dan Murphy touts the partnership as one forged between “the two best Dans to ever do it.”
In 2021, Ricciardo partnered with Barossa Valley’s St Hugo to create a range of wines called DR3, named after his initials and the number of his Formula 1 car.
Ricciardo’s journey into the wine industry received a boost last year when billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes promoted his St Hugo Ric Red.
The wine has been added to Merivale’s line-up of select restaurants, and Ricciardo and Hemmes were spotted at Totti’s Bondi on December 7 to celebrate their new partnership.
Ricciardo defended the shoe and launched a shoe-shaped wine decanter.
In a rare move, Ricciardo has also released a hand-blown glass decanter in the shape of a racing boot in partnership with St Hugo so fans can enjoy a boot in style.
Ricciardo is famous for championing the Australian celebration, which involves pouring alcohol into a worn-out shoe or boot and then drinking it.
Most recently, he did so after winning last year’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and persuaded actor Sir Patrick Stewart to join him in the quirky tradition when he finished third at the 2018 Canadian GP in Montreal.
The shoe is believed to have originated with Australian V8 Supercars drivers in 2014 and has since been adopted by a number of athletes, including Australian UFC star Tai Tuivasa.
Ricciardo is currently racing for Red Bull’s sister team RB but will not be able to travel there in 2025 due to Yuki Tsunoda extending his stay and the team set to promote reserve driver Liam Lawson.
A fairytale return to Red Bull could be back on the cards for Ricciardo as Sergio Perez is reportedly set to be sacked. if he does not improve his performance.
Ricciardo has also been linked with Williams, although it is unclear whether the 35-year-old would want to end his career with F1’s underclassmen.
