Daniel Ricciardo reveals the surprise job he’d be doing if he wasn’t a motorsport star as RB driver shares the one place he’d take his Formula One mates in Australia

The unforgiving nature of Formula 1 can make it difficult for stars not to be swallowed up by its all-consuming nature.

But off the track, home is where Daniel Ricciardo puts his heart.

The 35-year-old RB driver from Perth has been fully committed to a career in Formula 1 since he started karting at the age of nine. However, a road trip back home has highlighted the West Australian’s talents.

Together with his best friend Blake, Ricciardo explored the best of Western Australia on the ultimate road trip through his beautiful home state.

The Formula 1 star travels through 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, all while reconnecting with Blake.

When asked by Daily Mail Australia whether the trip had uncovered hidden talents that could have led him to other sporting ambitions, Ricciardo considered his options.

“Surfing, no, I’m not going to say I’m very good,” he admitted. “Board sports is maybe a weakness of mine.

“I’m good at wheel and ball sports. My hand-eye coordination is fine I think, but I’d be better at mountain biking than surfing.”

The Formula 1 driver took a wonderful road trip with his best friend Blake

Ricciardo particularly enjoyed surfing on the Margaret River and mountain biking

‘But I do have a few surfer friends and I would quickly say to them, “Oh, I’ve surfed Margaret River!” and they’d say, “That’s cool, but I’m sure you haven’t surfed where we surf!”

‘I love the outdoors and the more extreme sports. Surfing and mountain biking in one trip is for me a great trip and a great holiday.’

“I’m not saying I have to be a professional in any of those sports, but if I can play those sports every day, then I’m going to have a very happy life.”

There is uncertainty surrounding Ricciardo’s future in Formula 1 as the Australian has yet to secure a seat for the 2025 season.

But he certainly finds peace in Western Australia and is excited about the incredible activities visitors can enjoy here.

So where would the former Red Bull driver take his Formula 1 friends if they ever came over?

“It’s hard to pick just one,” he said. “Surfing is such an Australian thing and we’ve got such great beaches where you can surf and experience it.”

The Australian says he sees himself living in his home state when he retires from Formula 1

‘Not that it’s the only place, but I’d go back to the southwest and scare some motorists with some waves in Margaret River!’

“If I could only do one thing, I would do that.”

During the trip, Ricciardo fell in love with Margaret River and told him that this is where he wants to be when he decides to retire from F1.

“I feel like everyone feels so free and happy, and I don’t know, the way of life there is just my vision of retirement and what that should feel like is very much what I experience when I’m there,” he said.

Visitors to Western Australia can follow in Daniel and Blake’s footsteps. Qantas has daily non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Perth.