Daniel Ricciardo, the ever-smiling Australian and a formidable figure in many rear-view mirrors at his peak, has finally revealed the story behind his nickname ‘honey badger’. The alter ego, which regularly adorned his helmet, has everything to do with the character of the seemingly cute and cuddly animal.
Between 2011 and 2024, Daniel Ricciardo grew into one of the most beloved drivers in the Formula 1 paddock. The cheerful Australian was known for his jokes and infectious energy, but as soon as the visor went down, he transformed into a formidable opponent. With eight victories and 32 podium finishes, he earned not only respect but also the nickname honey badger, the English translation of honingdas.
The honey badger, or ratel, lives in Africa, the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and India. Its name refers to its alleged love for honey and the threatening, rattling sound it makes when in danger. “Honey badgers are cuddly and cute, they look super good,” Ricciardo laughed during a speech at the Connect conference by Ray White. “But if you take something away from them, they fight back, and I think that was a bit of my alter ego as soon as I got behind the wheel.”
Killer Instinct
Ricciardo has not raced in Formula 1 since he bid farewell to Racing Bulls after the Singapore Grand Prix in 2024. Looking back on his early years as a driver, he says he had to work hard to bring out his ‘killer instinct’. “I’ve had a competitor in me since I was a child; I was always competitive in everything I did,” he said. “But the killer instinct I needed, I had to develop to bring out of myself. By nature, I’m pretty easy-going. One of my first trainers at the time, Stu Smith, really brought it out of me. It felt good when I let it out, it’s fun to be a badass sometimes.”
“I would use too much energy to be tough all the time, because it’s not natural for me. I saw other drivers exuding that killer instinct from early morning till late at night, and I wished I could be like that,” Ricciardo continues. “People saw me laughing, making jokes, and may have seen that as a weakness, underestimating me. But as soon as I put on the helmet, I thought: ‘Okay, now it’s time to be tough like them’.”
