At the recent Raptor Rally, I had the opportunity to catch up with Daniel Ricciardo, global Ford Racing ambassador, who arrived radiating his signature infectious energy after an 18-hour drive in his new Raptor.

His journey from the pinnacle of Formula 1 to embracing the rugged spirit of Ford Racingis exciting, especially given his long-standing personal connection to the Raptor, a vehicle he's owned for years and describes as pure "freedom."

Read on to hear his insights about off-roading, his new role, and what makes the Raptor truly special.

As a longtime Raptor owner, what does Raptor Rally mean to you, and where does this experience fit into your favorite Raptor adventures?

This Raptor Rally is completely new for me, and I'm genuinely excited! I've owned a Raptor for eight years, and while I've done plenty of road trips — like driving to Vegas — I haven't really done any serious off-roading.

So, this is a thrilling new adventure. I just drove 18 hours from Austin to get here, stopping in Tucson for the night. Everyone who did the Utah event last year told me I'm in for a treat, and I can't wait.

What do you think makes the Raptor appeal to such a broad audience?

Well, at its core, it's a truck, right? You can throw things in the back; it handles off-road incredibly well. But what makes it so special is that when I sit in it, it feels like a sports car. It's got that luxury feel, too.

So, it really ticks all the boxes. You get the hardcore off-roaders, but you also get people who love a bit of off-road but also want comfort and luxury.

I guess you could say it's like the F1 of off-road, and maybe that's why I've always loved them.

What parallels do you see between your racing career and your new role as Ford Racing global ambassador?

For me, it's all about having fun. That's always been my approach.

In my racing career, I think people related to me because they saw how much joy I brought to it, and the competitive side was almost secondary. I just wanted to enjoy it.

I'm taking the same approach with this new role. It's a completely fresh start.

You've competed in over 250 Formula 1 Grand Prix. Is there any comparison between being behind the wheel of an F1 car and your Raptor?

Well, today I actually jumped the Raptor with guidance from a professional driver on a closed course, which was a blast!

When I got the new Raptor last week, the first thing I noticed was the carbon fiber inside.

For me, carbon fiber always relates to Formula 1 —it's strong, it's about performance, leaving no stone unturned.

Even though it's a truck, it feels like a race car when I'm in it. F1 was the pinnacle on the road, and the Raptor is the pinnacle off-road.

One final question. You've won one of the crown jewels of motorsports in Monaco. Was a jump today cooler? Do you have an itch for Baja in the future?

Monaco is incredible, but today's jump was incredible.

I was in the T1+, and Mitch gave me the fright of my life! I definitely got more than I bargained for, but it was freaking awesome.

The itch for Baja is there, but I've got a lot to learn. A few more of these events, and then ask me next year. We'll see where I'm at!

Dawn McKenzie is Ford Truck communications manager.