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Daniel Ricciardo Makes a Surprise Return — As a Speaker in… read more
Former Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo may not be racing on the track these days, but he’s found an unexpected way to stay in the spotlight — by transforming into a piece of audio equipment. In a quirky new advertisement from Beats, Ricciardo appears not behind the wheel, but as a cartoon version of a Beats Pill speaker.
The ad features a playful representation of the popular Australian driver, who is styled in the form of a navy blue speaker perched on a winner’s podium. True to his personality, Ricciardo’s speaker-self is energetic, charismatic, and still living the race day dream — complete with celebratory champagne and a cheeky reference to his iconic “shoey” celebration. While it’s amusing to see the speaker shout, “Oh, oh, get me a shoe, I wanna do a shoey!” the humor comes from the fact that he doesn’t have a mouth — a necessary feature for any kind of drinking, let alone one involving footwear.
Ricciardo’s speaker character also appears beside other anthropomorphic speaker figures, standing triumphantly above them, which hints at his enduring popularity and symbolic victory in the hearts of fans — if not in actual races lately. Adding to the light-hearted absurdity of the scene is a tiny race helmet placed near his speaker figure — a helmet that clearly doesn’t fit any visible part of his new speaker anatomy.
The ad comes at a time when Ricciardo has largely faded from the racing spotlight. In September 2024, he was dropped from Red Bull’s junior team, and since then, there has been no formal announcement about his retirement from Formula 1. His current quiet spell has led to much speculation, with no confirmed racing plans in sight. Despite that, this advertisement shows that Ricciardo hasn’t lost his sense of humor or his knack for entertainment.
While fans might miss seeing him on the F1 grid, his appearance in the Beats campaign brings a bit of nostalgia and humor to those who have followed his career. As for any return to racing, options remain limited. However, there’s a glimmer of possibility on the horizon — Cadillac’s new Formula 1 team, set to debut in 2026, has yet to announce its driver lineup. This unclaimed seat might be Ricciardo’s last viable route back into the sport if he chooses to pursue it.
Until then, fans will have to settle for seeing him in animated form, celebrating from the top step of a podium — even if it’s as a navy blue Bluetooth speaker. It’s a reminder that even outside the track, Ricciardo’s charisma continues to find creative outlets.
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