Ex-F1 star Daniel Ricciardo shares respect for Indy 500: 'It scares me'
Daniel Ricciardo will make his first visit to the Indianapolis 500 at the end of May
www.crash.netHere’s the latest on Daniel Ricciardo and the Indy 500.
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Ricciardo is attending the Indy 500 as a spectator and guest, marking his first visit to the Brickyard. Reports from multiple outlets in early May 2026 indicate he’ll be there later in the month, joining the event as a fan and guest under a collaboration with IndyCar driver Conor Daly. This marks a notable shift from prior years when he repeatedly ruled out oval racing or IndyCar moves during his F1 career.
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He has openly described the Indy 500 as a daunting prospect, even as he expresses excitement about experiencing the race in person. The sentiment reflects his long-running caution about ovals, contrasted with a growing openness to engaging with motorsport in new ways after stepping away from full-time competition.
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Coverage around the event has highlighted Ricciardo’s broader return-to-motorsport mindset, including a period of self-reflection after leaving F1 and a rekindled enthusiasm for racing experiences, which the Indy 500 visit seems to symbolize.
Illustration: Ricciardo’s Indy 500 appearance is being framed as a celebratory and exploratory chapter rather than a return to full-time competition, emphasizing the spectacle of the race and his personal journey away from the peak of F1.
If you’d like, I can pull up the most recent official statements or race-day schedules to confirm exact dates and activities Ricciardo will participate in at the Indy 500.