Daniel Ricciardo’s Italian Insults Resurface in Hilarious F1 Compilation
Formula 1 fans have been reminded of just how much personality the sport has lost since the exit of Daniel Ricciardo, after a humorous video compilation surfaced online showing the Australian playfully insulting his rivals — in fluent Italian.
Ricciardo has long been regarded as one of the grid’s most entertaining characters, blending sharp racecraft with a disarming sense of humor. While his on-track presence is no longer part of the F1 paddock, moments like these have reignited appreciation for the unique charisma he brought to the sport.
The video, shared by a fan account, stitches together clips from different stages of Ricciardo’s career, including his time with Renault, Red Bull Racing, and McLaren. Across the interviews, Ricciardo can be seen casually switching to Italian to deliver light-hearted — though cheeky — jabs at fellow drivers.
Italian Roots and a Hidden Language Skill
Although Ricciardo is widely celebrated as an Australian sporting icon, his connection to Italy runs deep. Both of his parents are Italian-Australian, with his father originating from Sicily and his maternal grandparents hailing from Calabria. During his formative racing years, Ricciardo also spent time living in Italy while progressing through the junior single-seater ranks.
That exposure helped him develop a solid grasp of the Italian language — a skill that later became a source of amusement during media appearances.
One of the standout moments in the compilation shows Ricciardo delivering a blunt but comedic line aimed at Carlos Sainz, telling him in Italian to “shut up” before jokingly threatening to “smash” his face. The comment, clearly made in jest, reflects the relaxed and playful rapport Ricciardo often shared with his rivals.
Verstappen and Norris Also Get the Ricciardo Treatment
Another memorable clip dates back to Ricciardo’s stint at Red Bull, when he partnered future world champion Max Verstappen. During a casual exchange, Ricciardo asked Verstappen whether he understood Italian. When the Dutch driver admitted that he didn’t, Ricciardo couldn’t resist taking advantage of the moment, grinning as he delivered a profanity-laced remark in the language.
The compilation also includes a moment from his McLaren days, where Ricciardo jokingly referred to teammate Lando Norris as an “a**hole” while speaking to Italian media. Once again, the comment was clearly tongue-in-cheek, highlighting the easygoing banter that defined Ricciardo’s relationships within the paddock.
These clips have since gone viral among fans, many of whom have commented on how much the current grid lacks a figure with Ricciardo’s ability to inject humor into high-pressure environments.
Life After Formula 1
Ricciardo’s F1 journey came to an abrupt end following his mid-season dismissal at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. Since then, he has not returned to competitive racing and has largely stayed out of the motorsport spotlight.
Despite stepping away from the track, Ricciardo has remained active off it. He continues to maintain a strong social media presence and frequently promotes his lifestyle and clothing brand, Enchante. The brand has also collaborated with Visa Cash App RB and F1 Academy driver Rafaela Ferreira, allowing Ricciardo to stay loosely connected to the racing world.
In addition, Ricciardo has taken on a high-profile role as a global ambassador for Ford. Through the partnership, he has been involved in promotional activities surrounding the Ford Raptor brand and has appeared at several showcase events for the American automotive giant.
A Thoughtful Farewell to Racing
Ricciardo officially confirmed his retirement from professional motor racing in September, explaining that the decision was carefully considered. Speaking during the announcement of his Ford ambassador role, the eight-time Grand Prix winner reflected on what racing had meant to him.
He explained that once he decided it was time to step away, he wanted to find an authentic way to remain connected to motorsport without returning to full-time competition. For Ricciardo, enjoyment was always at the heart of racing — something he felt defined both his career and his personality.
While Formula 1 continues to evolve, moments like the resurfaced Italian-insult compilation serve as a reminder of what Ricciardo brought to the sport: laughter, relatability, and a refreshing human touch that fans still miss today.
