McLaren F1 driver Ricciardo receives Order of Australia honour
McLaren Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Governor General's 2022 Australia Day Honours List.
The 32-year-old, who hails from Western Australia, has been an ever-present in F1 since 2011, racking up 210 grand prix starts for the HRT, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault and McLaren outfits.
He will become the 15th most-experienced driver in F1 history when he starts the 2022 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix and is set to become Australia's most experienced F1 racer at May's Spanish Grand Prix, surpassing Mark Webber's tally of 215 starts.
Ricciardo, who scored his eighth grand prix victory at Monza last year, currently ranks as the fourth most successful Australian in terms of F1 wins behind three-time world champion Jack Brabham (14), 1980 world champion Alan Jones (12) and Webber (9).
Ricciardo was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "significant service to motorsport as a competitor and ambassador, and to the community".
The announcement of his appointment recognises both his sporting achievements and his string of charitable affiliations, including the grassroots Ricciardo's Racers programme run by Motorsport Australia.
PLUS: The humbling changes Ricciardo made to deliver the goods for McLaren
In an Instagram post, the McLaren driver wrote: "Just happy flying the flag for Australia. Really appreciate the recognition. You can take the boy out of Oz but you can’t… anyway haha big thanks to everyone."
Ricciardo joins Webber, Brabham, Dakar motorcycle ace Toby Price - who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) this time last year - plus Supercars legends Craig Lowndes, Mark Skaife and Peter Brock in the Order of Australia system.
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Joining Ricciardo on this year's list were other sporting stars such as tennis star Dylan Alcott, who was appointed an Office of the Order of Australia (AO) and also named Australian of the Year, basketballer Patty Mills (AM), and footballer Sam Kerr (OAM).
Ricciardo was one of seven people included in the 2022 honours for reasons related to motorsport.
Terence Bracken and Leslie Power received OAMs for "service to the motorsport industry", while Ian Tate was recognised with an OAM for "service to historic motorsports".
Kay De Luca and the late Anthony De Luca were honoured with OAMs for "service to motoring clubs, and to the community", with another OAM going to Ian Digby for "service to the community, and to the motor industry".
Related video
Hamilton will race on in F1 in 2022, reckons Button
F1 confirms no fans, TV coverage at first pre-season test
Daytona 24, Hour 21: MSR Acura back in front with three hours left
The Meyer Shank Racing Acura was back in front with three hours remaining in the Daytona 24 Hours that opens the IMSA SportsCar season.
Ekstrom defeats Schumacher for fourth Race of Champions victory
Two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom took his fourth Race of Champions title at Pite Havsbad in Sweden after defeating Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Mick Schumacher in the final.
Ogier eyes WRC Monte Carlo rematch with Loeb
Sebastien Ogier is keen for a Rally Monte Carlo rematch against Sebastien Loeb in next year's World Rally Championship after becoming the most successful driver in event history.
Webber: Red Bull will remain "dangerous" threat in F1 2023 title fight
Mark Webber believes Red Bull will remain the “most dangerous team” in Formula 1 in 2023 despite facing penalties for its cost cap breach.
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
What difference did F1's fastest pitstops of 2022 make?
While a quick pitstop can make all the difference to the outcome of a Formula 1 race, most team managers say consistency is more important than pure speed. MATT KEW analyses the fastest pitstops from last season to see which ones – if any – made a genuine impact
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.