Daniel Ricciardo confirms paddock return: ‘It’s going to really hit me hard’

Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed he will likely be in attendance on the Indianapolis 500 this yr, stating he expects the occasion to “hit me hard.”

Ricciardo has not raced professionally since his outing on the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

He has since declared that he has retired from racing and is specializing in different initiatives, together with being an envoy of Ford Racing and launching his personal wine.

The latter product will likely be marketed throughout this yr’s Indy 500 in collaboration with Conor Daly, who will race for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

Ricciardo lately appeared on Daly’s Speed ​​Street podcast, the place I’ve mentioned his attendance at this yr’s race.

“What you’ve told me about Indy 500, I’ve probably never been more excited since I was a kid to go to a race and just be a fan at a race,” Ricciardo stated.

“To expertise it in the best way you discuss it, you have finished the European factor, you have traveled the world racing.

“This sounds like… I think it’s going to really hit me hard. I’m excited to be a fan.”

The race will happen on May 24, only a handful of hours earlier than the Canadian Grand Prix.

Explaining how the concept of ​​attending the race took place, Ricciardo stated: “We began a dialog like ‘guys, is there a world we are able to get Conor extra concerned?

“And then just about on the identical time, I used to be speaking to my Dad about Indy 500 and it is one thing he is at all times needed to do and at all times needed to go to.

“I was like, ‘well, let’s do it in 2026, let’s go to the race’.”