‘Best fiction I’ve ever read’: Kate Ritchie shuts down Daniel Ricciardo romance rumour

Kate Ritchie has revealed the truth behind a magazine article that alleged sparks were flying at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Former Home and Away star Kate Ritchie has shut down any speculation of romance with Aussie F1 star Daniel Ricciardo.

The 45-year-old breakfast radio star was forced to respond to the rumour started by New Idea magazine that claimed the Fitzy & Wippa with Kate co-host was crushing on the 34-year-old F1 star.

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The article claimed there was “chemistry” between the two and it appeared to suggest there was more to a selfie of the pair taken days before the Australian Grand Prix when Ricciardo featured on the Nova breakfast show.

As Michael “Wippa” Wipfli read from the article, Ritchie could do nothing but laugh, calling it “the best fiction I’ve ever read”.

Wipfli read the article and it said fans had been commenting on “their very obvious chemistry” in the selfie, with one fan adding: “Swipe right Danny boy!”

The image in question appears to be this one.

The laughable story continued: “One source says it’s a shame Daniel’s not on the market, because he and Kate would be a great match.”

Ritchie added: “Here, here.”

Referring to the photo in the story, which includes Ritchie in head to toe white linen, she added: “Really, let’s be honest. I mean, if Daniel didn’t fancy me before, now, when he sees this article, and … he sees on the left hand side a photograph of me in head to toe white linen as if I’m Maggie Tabberer, you will be head over heels.”

But Ricciardo has been in a long-term relationship with Heidi Berger, the daughter of former F1 driver Gerhard Berger who represented Ferrari and McLaren during his 14-year career.

Reports have suggested the pair have been together since 2019 but went official in 2022 when posting a video of the pair hiking in California on social media.

While Ricciardo has kept his personal life personal, he shared a photo of the pair together at Scottie James and Chloe Stroll’s wedding in 2023.

Heidi Berger and Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo’s big worries are on the track. Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images

Ricciardo also told Fitzy & Wippa in 2022 the relationship was serious.

Host Ryan Fitzgerald asked the then 33-year-old: “Are you in love at the moment?”

Ricciardo replied: “Yeah mate, I’m in love, I got a good thing going, so yeah. I’ve got a good balance in life right now.

He added he has enjoyed picking the brains of Berger senior, who was one of his childhood motorsport heroes.

“When I was young, I mean I’ve followed F1 since I was a kid and I had a Berger hat,” Ricciardo said.

“It’s funny, I talk about it with him. He still goes to quite a few races he still has an interest in the sport and he still does some business with it.

“Any ex-sportsman, anyone who’s been through it — I just love speaking to them and gaining knowledge and insight through their experience there’s so much wisdom.”

Asked if Heidi has any talent behind the wheel, Ricciardo joked: “Definitely not race car status. No offence.”

Ricciardo is hoping to turn his season around at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Currently he’s not scored a point and been shown up by teammate Yuki Tsunoda 3-0 in qualifying, and 2-1 in races.