- Currently driving for Red Bull's second team
- Want one last chance at a championship with Red Bull
- Released a new product that could be his life after racing
Aussie F1 champion Daniel Ricciardo has a burning desire to return to the top of the podium with Red Bull before he retires, but he has given his fans a big clue as to what he has in store when he finally hangs up his helmet .
Ricciardo has worn many hats during his racing career, dabbling in media, photography, influencing and even taking on the role of Chief of Optimism at telecommunications giant Optus.
But a love of wine that has existed since childhood has led to the F1 star partnering with billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes, which could be the start of a long career in the industry.
Ricciardo is currently employed by Red Bull-owned Scuderia AlphaTauri, with the intention of returning to his old team next season, where he aims to race and beat alongside ex-teammate and world champion Max Verstappen.
In the meantime, he has set up his own wine label, St Hugo Ric Red, which Hemmes promotes in Sydney.
Billionaire baron Justin Hemmes will sell Daniel Ricciardo's Ric Red in select restaurants
Ricciardo and Hemmes are pictured celebrating their venture into Bondi. The partnership could be a sign of big things to come for the F1 star
Ricciardo currently drives for Scuderia AlphaTauri, but wants to have one more chance at a championship with the Red Bull main team together with Max Verstappen
The Ric Red is described as “inspired by real, honest, good times in the moment, with good food, good music and great friends” and “luxurious, opulent and generous, an Australian modern masterpiece of open and inviting fruit with a little hint of something more.”
Racing fans and wine lovers can now order the Ric Red range from selected Merivale restaurants, with Ricciardo and Hemmes spotted at Totti's Bondi on December 7 to celebrate their new partnership.
“It's definitely a nice creative outlet for me,” Ricciardo told the BBC Sydney Morning Herald.
'I love racing – it's obviously my first passion – but I don't want to be consumed by it every hour of the day. I always look for some small positive distractions in my life. Being creative is part of what keeps me going.”
Ricciardo made the shoey famous in international circles after a party with Red Bull
The Aussie F1 star then released a line of shoe-inspired wine decanters with St. Hugo
The collaboration with St Hugo has led to Ricciardo releasing his own brand of red wine
It is not Ricciardo's first foray into the wine industry.
The Aussie champion is known for bringing the great Australian celebration, the shoey, to the world stage, and previously released a shoe-shaped wine decanter in collaboration with wine brand St Hugo.
Ricciardo said his love of wine was a family affair, starting with his grandparents making their own drink with limited success.
“This is something that puts a smile on my father's face because he grew up with an interest and passion for wine,” said Ricciardo.
“His parents made wine in their garage, but I used to call it vinegar.
“Look, I'm new to this, and I don't expect to know everything, but they've allowed me to pursue the experience I'm looking for.”
“We make sure no one calls it vinegar.”