The eight-time grand prix winner has been appointed a ‘Member of the Order of Australia’ for his “significant service to mo🗹torsport as a competitor and ambassador and to the community”.

Ricciar🐬do struggled in his first year with McLaren relative to teammate Lando Norris, however, he scored the Woking outfit’s first F1 victory since 2012 at Monza last year.

Besides his success in F1, the honour acknowledges his achievements ﷽outsid𝄹e of motorsport such as the Ricciardo's Racers programme run by Motorsport Australia.

Ricciardo joins fellow Australians and former F1 drivers Mark Webber and Jackꦅ🔯 Brabham, who are also Members of the Order of Australia.

Responding to the news, Ricciardo wrote on social media: “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.”