Formula 1 Driver Says His 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor ‘Is the Coolest Car I’ve Ever Owned’
A Formula 1 driver loves pickup trucks? This can’t be tru… Oh, right. Daniel Riccardo exists. Ok, Daniel Riccardo, a Formula 1 fan-favorite, not only has a Ford F-150 Raptor but also exclaimed that it is the coolest car he’s ever owned. It’s refreshing to see someone as fancy as a Formula 1 driver have such a normal car. Granted, the Ford Raptor is still a very expensive and over-the-top vehicle; it is a far sight more normal than what most of the little driver’s park in the lot before a race.
What car does Daniel Riccardo drive?
According to The Drive, Riccardo has had no shortage of top-tier thoroughbreds. He’s enjoyed Aston Martin DB11s, McLaren Arturas, and the list goes on. However, Riccardo recently told The Drive’s Social Media person, “From a vehicle point of view, the Raptor is maybe the coolest car I’ve ever owned.”
He told The Drive, “I got the Raptor in 2017, and I keep it in California,” added Ricciardo. “I actually bought the Raptor before I bought a house [there]. Since I was young, I loved them. We couldn’t get the Raptors in Australia and me and my friends just love utes and trucks and hoped one day we could get one. When I started spending more time in California, I was like, I need to buy one. I actually kept it at my mate’s house for like a year.”
The Ford F-150 Raptor is badass
There aren’t many pickup trucks like Ford F-150 Raptor. Sure, many carmakers have built off-road-ready trucks from the factory, but few have ever upgraded the powertrain to the level of the Raptor or Ram TRX.
The 2017 Ford F-150 not only had Baja-ready suspension and loads of power but there was an air of refinement about it. Features like comfort steering help drivers maneuver more easily at low speeds. It also got a 23% increase in fuel efficiency over the previous year model. But put your foot down, and a whole world of power opens up to you.
The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor that Daniel Riccardo loves so much spits the power of 450 horses and 510 lb-ft of torque directly into your spine. Believe it or not, all this spine-tingling horsepower comes from Ford’s EcoBoost V6. Granted, it does have two turbochargers mounted to it, forcing massive amounts of air in and power out.
When Car and Driver tested the supertruck new in 2017, it managed an astonishing 0-60 mph sprint in only 5.1 seconds. The F-150 Raptor also comes with Ford’s 10-speed automatic. However, Car and Driver noted that Raptor couldn’t always decide what gear it wanted. While gear selection could be annoying, the Ford F-150 Raptor is a favorite because it exudes excitement and power.
Daniel Riccardo might get a new Raptor
After a recent employment change for Riccardo and his employer’s deal with Ford, it stands to reason that Riccard could be getting a new Raptor soon. Riccardo recently commented on his friend, Dax Sheppard’s Instagram post on the new Raptor R, saying, “Dude, I drove one yesterday!! Soo good! I’m excited for you. I’m excited for us. Pick me up later.”
