Juan Pablo Montoya has offered advice to Daniel Ricciardo following the Aussie’s uncertain future in Formula 1, recommending that he take a page from Mick Schumacher’s post-F1 playbook. Ricciardo, who faced a disappointing end to his stint with Red Bull Racing, now finds himself without a confirmed seat for the upcoming season, sparking speculation about his next move. Montoya, a former F1 driver himself, believes Ricciardo still has plenty of opportunities outside of the sport.
Montoya pointed to Mick Schumacher as a prime example of life after F1. Schumacher, after struggling in F1, found a new path as a reserve driver for Mercedes and a competitor in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Alpine. Montoya suggested that Ricciardo, with his massive popularity and personality, could follow a similar route.
“There’s life after F1 if you want it. The best example is Mick Schumacher. Mick had F1 trouble big time and it didn’t look like he would ever have another job. Now he’s an ambassador for Mercedes and he’s racing in the World Endurance Championship for Alpine,” Montoya remarked.
With Ricciardo already being considered for an ambassadorial role at the US GP and the door still open for a potential Red Bull return, Montoya emphasized that the Aussie’s appeal could offer him plenty of opportunities. He humorously noted how Ricciardo’s likable image could make the transition easier compared to his own career, where Montoya felt his personality was seen differently.
“Danny could do that. He has such a big personality, and he’s got a huge following and he is very popular. If you think about me, everybody thinks I’m an asshole. If you think of Daniel: Oh, he’s such a lovely guy. Maybe I need to do some more Instagram!” Montoya joked.
Ricciardo remains one of the most beloved figures in Formula 1, and Montoya believes that his fame and charisma could land him a role in various motorsport categories, whether he chooses to compete or take on ambassadorial duties.
“Should he come to races and do events and things and enjoy that without the pressure of driving, or maybe he just walks away and says thank you to everybody, because if for him, driving is enough and what it is really all about for him, he could find a seat in anything,” Montoya added.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Ricciardo’s next step, Montoya highlighted how the Aussie could continue to thrive in motorsport or beyond. As fans await Ricciardo’s next move, it’s clear his legacy and infectious personality will continue to leave a lasting impact, both on and off the track.
