Daniel Ricciardo delivers cheeky response ahead of 2023 F1 season – and leaves Red Bull speechless

Daniel Ricciardo is preparing for a very different life as a reserve driver in this season’s F1 championship – but clearly hasn’t lost his trademark sense of humour.

The Aussie, 33, made an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and delivered a very cheeky response when asked why he believes the sport has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity – especially in the US.

‘I was gonna say something serious, but I think ultimately it’s probably my good looks!,’ Ricciardo joked to a visibly stunned Colbert.

‘I think it’s the Drive to Survive series on Netflix which has kind of blown up. I think that’s put F1 on the map worldwide.

‘They’re about to go into season five which is pretty wild. There’s parts of the world where it’s always been big, you know, like Europe, Formula 1 has always existed for many, many, many years and there’s always been like a core following there.

‘I knew the States…I feel it was inevitable to blow up here because you do sports so well and it was just, I would say, a matter of time but I feel like it accelerated through this Drive to Survive show.’

Daniel Ricciardo is preparing for life as a reserve driver in this season’s F1 championship – but hasn’t lost his trademark sense of humour

Ricciardo told host Stephen Colbert the sport has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity – especially in the US thanks to the Netflix series Drive to Survive 

Ricciardo then arrived at Red Bull’s season launch in very unusual fashion – in a go kart.

Alongside great mate and premier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, the Perth born jokester arrived on the premises and hammed it up.

In the clip also starring Red Bull principal Christian Horner, the drivers can be seen whizzing around the company headquarters.

However, the launch later descended into a farce in New York after a presenter mispronounced Ricciardo’s name.

Co-host Giselle Zarur inexplicably called the Aussie Daniel ‘Retardo’, leaving the 33-year-old smiling awkwardly.

Furious fans were in disbelief on social media.

Max Verstappen (pictured, middle) Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing’s unveiling of the team’s new Formula One car during a launch event in New York City

‘Daniel ‘Retardo’??? What the hell is this presenter doing or saying?,’ fumed one social media user.

Another stated: ‘Did she just introduce [him as] Daniel Retardo’???

Ricciardo won’t be on the grid this year after McLaren boldly promoted fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri.

The 33-year-old – who left Red Bull in 2018 – has returned to his former team in a reserve driver role he will share with Kiwi Liam Lawson.

While many believe Ricciardo’s career now hangs in the balance, the man himself is adamant the ‘break’ will reinvigorate his passion for the sport.

The 2023 F1 season begins at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.