The ruthless business of Formula One can make it difficult for its stars not to be swallowed up by its all-consuming nature.
But away from the track, home is where the heart is for Daniel Ricciardo.
The Perth-born RB driver, 35, has single-mindedly pursued a career in Formula One since he began karting at the age of nine, but a road trip back home has served as a reminder that there are plenty of strings to the Western Australian’s bow.
Along with his best mate Blake, Ricciardo has explored the very best that WA has to offer by taking the ultimate road trip through his stunning home state.
The F1 star travels through the Margaret River, where he takes part in an indigenous experience, goes surfing and mountain biking and enjoys the finest produce the region has to offer while reconnecting with Blake.
And when asked by Daily Mail Australia whether the trip revealed any hidden talents that could have led to different sporting pursuits, Ricciardo went through his options.
‘Surfing, no, I’m not going to say I’m very good,’ he admitted. ‘Board sports is maybe a weakness of mine.
‘I’m good on wheels and actually ball sports, my hand-eye coordination I think is OK, but mountain biking would be something I’d be better at than surfing.
Tourism Western Australia ambassador Daniel Ricciardo discussed his favourite things about his home state
The Formula One driver went on a stunning road trip with his best mate Blake
Ricciardo particularly enjoyed surfing on the Margaret River and mountain biking
‘But I do have a few surfing mates and I was very quick to tell them “oh I surfed in Margaret River!” and they were like “that’s cool, but I’m pretty sure you didn’t surf where we surf!”
‘I do love the outdoors, I love the more extreme sports so getting to surf and mountain bike all in the same trip is my idea of an amazing trip and an amazing holiday.
‘I’m not going to say I need to be professional at any of those sports, but if I could get to do those sports on the daily then I am going to live a very happy life.’
Uncertainty surrounds Ricciardo’s Formula One future, with the Australian yet to secure a seat for the 2025 season.
But he certainly finds serenity in Western Australia and enthuses over the incredible activities available to visitors.
So, where would the former Red Bull man take his Formula One mates, if they were to pop over?
‘It’s tough picking one,’ he said. ‘Surfing is a very Australian thing and we also have such amazing beaches to go and surf in and experience it.
The Australian says he sees himself living in his home state when he retires from Formula One
‘Not that it’s the only place but I would go back down the south west and scare some drivers with some waves in Margaret River!
‘If there was only one thing I could do, that’s what I’d do.’
During the trip, Ricciardo fell in love with Margaret River and revealed that it is the place he wants to be when he does decide to retire from F1.
‘I feel like everyone just feels so free and happy, and, I don’t know, the way of life there is just my vision of like retirement and what that should feel like is very much what I feel when I’m down there,’ he said.
Visitors to Western Australia can follow in Daniel and Blake’s footsteps. Qantas has daily non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Perth.