Ricciardo responds to fan backlash after controversial career launch

Ricciardo launched a new venture in partnership with the gambling platform Dabble, promoting a competition titled 'Dabble Dan’s Tailgating Service.'

The 35-year-old former Formula 1 star—who was dropped by Racing Bulls midway through the 2024 season—received a flurry of negative comments after unveiling the sponsorship last Wednesday.

Fans, still hopeful for a racing comeback, were left disappointed by the announcement, with many questioning Ricciardo’s career direction. In response, the comments on the original Instagram post have now been restricted, with the platform displaying the notice: “Comments on this post are limited.”

While Ricciardo has not directly addressed the criticism, the move signals a desire to manage the backlash more quietly, in contrast to the passionate fan reactions that previously dominated his posts.

Although he's stepped back from racing, Ricciardo hasn’t fully vanished from the F1 orbit. A recent social media post by Mercedes’ George Russell showed Ricciardo playing paddle in Monaco with fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri and snowboarder Scotty James. The appearance thrilled fans—yet the direction of Ricciardo’s post-F1 life remains unclear.

His Dabble promo leaned heavily into themes of retirement, and with no plans announced for a return despite fans questions surrounding Cadillac, Ricciardo’s silence may now speak louder than words.