Daniel Ricciardo might be sitting out F1 races through injury right now, but it hasn’t stopped him taking on a VERY different kind of drive

• Ricciardo is the face of tourism drive for Western Australia 
• The 34-year-old F1 driver was born and raised in Perth
• Scuderia AlphaTauri driver currently sidelined with a hand injury

F1 star Daniel Ricciardo has never forgotten his roots – so it wasn’t a surprise to see the Perth born driver in a recently released tourism ad for Western Australia.

The 34-year-old teamed up with the WA Government, through Tourism WA, to launch the new global ‘Drive the Dream’ campaign.

The aim is for travellers to experience the state’s diverse road trips that make WA the ‘ultimate destination for a driving holiday.’

Ricciardo’s road trip started in Perth and saw the Scuderia AlphaTauri driver make his way to Exmouth along the Coral Coast Highway.

Western Australia’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism Rita Saffioti was highly impressed by the campaign.

‘There’s nothing like a good road trip,’ she said.

‘The campaign will help Western Australia stand out as one of the world’s most unique, memorable and desirable places to undertake a road trip adventure, now and into the future.’

Meanwhile, Ricciardo is unlikely to race in the Qatar Grand Prix on October 8 as he continues his recovery from his hand injury, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has confirmed.

Ricciardo suffered seven bone fractures at last month’s Dutch Grand Prix, undergoing surgery with four screws and a plate inserted into his left hand.

‘I would say probably less likely [his return] than likely at the moment,’ Horner told Sky Sports.

‘I know Daniel’s got his sights fixed on Qatar, he will drive the simulator next week and then we will make some decisions based on that.’

It comes as Ricciardo recently penned a contract extension at AlphaTauri for 2024.

The new deal guarantees Ricciardo a 14th season in the sport, and it also opens the door for the 34-year-old to reclaim his seat at Red Bull Racing come 2025 when Sergio Perez’s contract expires.