Formula 1 superstar Daniel Ricciardo found himself in a light-hearted encounter with Western Australia's finest after his enthusiastic test drive of a powerful Ford Ranger Raptor turned heads a little too successfully.
The Raptor's Roar Attracts Unexpected Attention
The McLaren driver, known for his charismatic personality both on and off the track, was putting the high-performance pickup through its paces in his hometown of Perth. The vehicle's aggressive exhaust note and Ricciardo's spirited driving proved too noticeable, promptly catching the attention of local law enforcement.
In a moment of pure comedy, officers pulled over the bright blue Raptor, only to be met with the beaming smile of one of Australia's most famous sporting exports. The encounter was far from serious, however, with Ricciardo later sharing the amusing story on his social media.
"Just a Friendly Chat": Ricciardo Shares The Story
Taking to Instagram, the eight-time Grand Prix winner posted a video from behind the wheel, laughing about the incident. "So I may have just got pulled over in the Raptor," he chuckled. "The cops said, 'Is there something wrong with the car? Is it meant to be that loud?'"
He assured his millions of followers that the interaction was entirely good-natured. "I said, 'No, it's a Raptor, it's meant to sound good!' They were really cool though. They just said, 'Alright, just take it easy.'" The video quickly went viral, delighting fans with its relatable and humorous nature.
From F1 Precision to Raptor Power
The incident highlights the stark contrast between the disciplined world of Formula 1 racing and the raw, unbridled fun of a powerful road car. While Ricciardo is accustomed to pushing cutting-edge machinery to its limits on closed circuits, this experience was a reminder of the different rules that apply on public roads.
The Ford Ranger Raptor, with its 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine producing 292 horsepower, is certainly a machine that commands attention—something its temporary driver discovered first-hand. This playful episode has only served to further endear the popular driver to his global fanbase, proving that even elite athletes aren't immune to a friendly word from the police.
