Daniel Ricciardo is never one to kiss and tell but reports of his latest love life activity are linking him to a bombshell beauty who spends more time on the catwalk than behind the wheel of a car.
According to a report in the Herald Sun, the Aussie F1 star has been dating fashion model Jessica Gomes for several weeks. The pair have tried to keep their budding romance out of the spotlight but the report claims the two, both from Perth, are well and truly an item.
Ricciardo is enjoying his off-season break after a challenging year with Red Bull that saw him finish a disappointing sixth in the drivers’ championship and Gomes is helping him pass the time.
The David Jones ambassador, who has also appeared multiple times in the world famous Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, is reportedly an F1 fan who participated in the 2013 celebrity challenge ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Gomes, 34, has been linked with several high-profile men in the past, including Australian rugby union star Rocky Elsom and actor Xavier Samuel.
She’s represented by IMG Models and is the founder and CEO of luxury skincare range Equal Beauty.
Less is known about Ricciardo’s love life because of his determination to keep his cards close to his chest but a Daily Mail report in June claimed he had been secretly dating German Annemarie Horbass while she worked for an events management company associated with Red Bull.
The two were spotted together after Ricciardo’s sensational win at the Monaco Grand Prix in May where they reportedly chilled out on a luxury yacht alongside Red Bull colleagues who were revelling in the 29-year-old’s victory.
Horbass was the first woman to be publicly linked to Ricciardo since he split from his high school sweetheart Jemma Boskovich at the start of 2016.
Ricciardo has previously blamed his hectic Formula 1 schedule for the relationship breakdown with his longtime girlfriend who he had known since his teenage years.
That was all news for Sydney radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands in September, 2016, when he accidentally threw Ricciardo under the bus in a live interview on breakfast radio.
Ricciardo made an appearance on KIIS 1065’s Kyle and Jackie O and became trapped in an awkward conversation for a man in his newly-single situation. Sandilands said Ricciardo had been with the “same girl since he’s been at school” before the West Australian was forced to correct him.
“Ah, this is awkward,” Ricciardo responded before adding: “Next subject.”
Ricciardo left Red Bull at the end of this season and will join Renault in 2019 after signing a two-year deal with the French F1 outfit earlier this year.
It will be a massive change for the “Honey Badger”, who has spent his entire racing career in the Red Bull program.
But repeated mechanical failures and engine woes contributed to a miserable season for Ricciardo, who retired eight times. Red Bull boss Christian Horner said he was sad to lose the best overtaker in the sport.
“He’s been a pleasure to have in the team the last five years,” Horner told Motorsport.com. “He’s been with Red Bull since 2007, and it’s been great to see him grow and evolve.
“Ever since he got in a Red Bull car he’s done nothing but overtake, and arguably has become the best overtaker in the business. He’s driven some fantastic races for us.
“His personality has been a tremendous fit with the brand. His energy in the team has been hugely popular, the dynamics with him and Max (Verstappen), you’ve only got to look at the mischief that they get up to — it’s been great.”
