How Daniel Ricciardo became an honorary Texan

You could argue Daniel Ricciardo was always bound for Texas – a place that matches his easy charm and chaotic energy. In 2022, while the rest of the grid arrived at Circuit of The Americas in polos and sneakers, Ricciardo rode in on horseback wearing boots, jeans, a stars-and-stripes jacket and a Stetson hat straight out of a country-music video. His horse, Bluey – which he affectionately dubbed “Horsey McHorse” – trotted through the paddock as local country singer Rob Baird played to set the scene.

That entrance went straight into F1 legend status. No PR stunt, no brand deal – just Ricciardo doing what he does best, finding fun where no one else thinks to look. He later laughed that he’d been a bit embarrassed about the idea but figured, “Ah, why not?” and saddled up anyway.

That’s the essence of Daniel Ricciardo: fun first, fear later. Somewhere between the trotting, the hat-tipping and the high-fives, Texas decided this guy wasn’t just passing through – with his easy-going charm and larger-than-life spirit, he belonged. From that moment on, he was their adopted cowboy.

If you had to pick a city that matches Daniel Ricciardo’s personality, it would be Austin. It’s laid-back, loud, a little eccentric and impossible not to like – just like him. The city’s unofficial slogan, ‘Keep Austin Weird’, could easily double as Ricciardo’s personal mantra. He laughs louder than anyone, greets everyone like an old friend and somehow turns every media call into effortless banter.

Ricciardo’s American connection actually started long before Texas entered the picture. His childhood racing hero was Dale Earnhardt Sr., a NASCAR legend known for his grit and swagger. Ricciardo even chose the number three in tribute to him, a nod to the attitude and intensity he admired.

Over the years, he’s leaned fully into the Austin energy – wearing cowboy boots on the grid, joking about owning a ranch “somewhere with good BBQ and good people”, and slipping into character with a playful Texan twang. But his love for the city goes far deeper than the showmanship.

Speaking to RACEWKEND, Ricciardo said, “I think my heart lies in Austin for sure.” His first night in the city set the tone with live music, food trucks and a crowd dressed every which way – cowboy boots, sequins, sneakers and everything in between. No one cared who you were or what you wore. “You couldn’t wear that anywhere else and not be judged,” he said. “There was this overall comfort amongst everyone – it was really eye-opening.”

What really hooked him wasn’t the glitz or the parties, but the freedom to simply be himself. There’s an openness to Austin, a warmth in the people and a rare comfort in how unapologetically themselves everyone seems.

For Ricciardo, his love for Austin isn’t just about the Grand Prix weekend. When he’s there, he lives it. Away from the TV cameras, he’s spent time visiting ranches, saddling up and soaking in the slower rhythm of life outside Austin. It’s no surprise he took to it so naturally – he grew up on a farm just outside Perth, surrounded by open space, dirt tracks and animals.

That background made his time at Nelson Ranch near La Grange feel less like a novelty and more like a return to something familiar. There, he helped with everyday ranch chores, learned to lasso and threw himself into the lifestyle with genuine enthusiasm.

Those off-track adventures are a big part of why Texas feels a little more personal for him than most places. Ricciardo has embraced the state’s culture in full, immersing himself in the things that make Austin special.

He’s called it a place that “keeps me grounded” and somewhere that gives him energy, which makes sense for a driver whose whole identity runs on connection and fun. And maybe that’s why Texans will always welcome him back. He doesn’t just play the part – he lives it, one grin and “howdy” at a time.

Ricciardo’s bond with Texas runs both ways. He might have shown up in the hat, but it was Austin that crowned him their cowboy. During his racing years at the United States Grand Prix, you could feel it – fans in cowboy boots and DR3 shirts chanting his name, waving flags with his face on them, and every sighting filled with excitement. He became part of the atmosphere, a sort of unofficial mascot for the COTA weekend.

That affection goes well beyond the grandstands. Even when he wasn’t on the grid, Austin still found ways to celebrate him in numerous ways, from murals and fan posts to his Enchanté clothing brand's pop-up during the 2023 United States Grand Prix weekend. Ricciardo was recovering from a hand injury at the time, but the event still went ahead, with him telling fans he was there in spirit.

He might not be on the grid anymore, but Ricciardo’s still part of the Austin story. The cowboy hats, the honey badger shirts, and that horseback clip – they all come back around every October. This year, Enchanté will be making an appearance in Austin, with a number of pop-ups over race week.

His face still appears on signs, shirts and social posts long after race week ends – proof that the connection never faded. In a sport that moves fast, Ricciardo’s bond with Texas has stayed steady. He might not be chasing podiums like he once did, but in Austin, the cowboy spirit lives on.