Daniel Ricciardo is a driver and a personality that many have idolized over the years. For Formula 1 fans, the Honey Badger is the man to be, well, at least when he was back at Red Bull. That being said, who did the Australian idolize?

Daniel Ricciardo has been an outspoken NASCAR fan. At the 2021 US Grand Prix last year, he even took his hero’s NASCAR cup car out for a spin at the Circuit of The Americas. That’s right, for Ricciardo, Dale Earnhardt was ‘the’ man.

Before the Brazilian Grand Prix, he spoke about this. He said, “I was a massive Earnhardt fan. When we could pick our numbers in F1, I mean ‘3’ was close to me but it was also like a tip of the hat to Earnhardt.”

“His nickname was ‘the Intimidator’. That’s one of the coolest nicknames you can be given, especially in the world of motorsports.”

WATCH THIS STORY: What are Ferrari and Mercedes’ objectives behind the demand for Red Bull penalty over Cost Cap drama

Now that Ricciardo is no longer in contention for an F1 seat, at least for a while, he can ply his trade across the pond in the backyard of his hero. As things stand, the Australian has not ruled out a stint in NASCAR.

Daniel Ricciardo may end up in NASCAR after F1 snub

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this week might be Ricciardo’s final F1 race, ever. That being said, motorsports is something that has always been dear to the Honey Badger. And in his own words, he has not counted out his chances at a future NASCAR drive.

He said, “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a cool fairytale kind of thing of racing in America. I know I would love all of it. “But I feel like in this paddock I feel very American. If I go into a NASCAR paddock, I’m the least American person there is.”

He ended it on a very tantalizing note. “It’s funny. We’ll see.”

Read More: Soccer and F1 Worlds Collide as Sergio Perez Shocks F1 Fans With a Rare Collab With ‘Original’ Ronaldo

Top Stories

Lewis Hamilton’s “Weird” Superstitions Revealed as F1 Insider Reveals “Hippie” Beliefs

“What a Stupid Idiot”: Max Verstappen & Esteban Ocon Reignite 5-Year-Old Bitter History at Las Vegas GP

$2,900,000,000 Worth F1 Heiress Chloe Stroll Ties the Knot With Olympian Snowboarder in the ‘Floating City’ as Parade of F1 Stars Grace the Lavish Occasion

3 Years After His Death, Niki Lauda’s Wife Brutally Disrespects Him to Initiate $32,000,000 Battle Against Own Children

$135,000,000 Handicap Haunts Alpine as Even Humble Goals Remain Far From Reality

Daniel Ricciardo is hoping for a reserve driver seat for 2023. But does this spell the end of the Honey Badger in Formula 1?