Patrick Stewart’s unforgettable moment on Daniel Ricciardo’s podium

Sir Patrick Stewart’s moment on the Formula 1 podium with Daniel Ricciardo is remembered for an unusual celebration: in Montreal in 2017, the actor drank champagne from the driver’s racing boot. The actor, known for franchises including Star Trek and X-Men, died aged 86 at his home in Los Angeles after a brief, private battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

That day, race winner Lewis Hamilton stood alongside his team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Ricciardo, third for Red Bull, brought Stewart into his customary celebration. The Australian had made drinking champagne from his own boot his podium trademark, and the Montreal crowd knew what was coming.

Stewart led the interviews, opening with his theatrical delivery as he congratulated Hamilton: “You might say there’s nothing like a pleasant, quiet drive along the river on a Sunday afternoon in Montreal. But this was a little different, wasn’t it?” It was his exchange with Ricciardo, however, that made headlines around the world. “I think I hear something… I have to do something,” the driver said before drinking from his boot and handing it to Stewart. “This is becoming a ritual! Good vintage! Cheers!” the actor replied.

Hamilton praised the gesture: “I’m proud of you for doing that! It’s something I couldn’t do. Have you seen how sweaty his feet are?” Stewart’s response quickly went viral: “I don’t care – I’m on the podium for the first time; I’ll drink out of anybody’s shoe!” The line was reported by Motorsport.com. Stewart also asked Hamilton what it felt like to lead every lap from pole position. “I’ll tell you that in a second, but can you read my mind?” Hamilton asked. “Yes. You are happy!” Stewart replied, before appealing to the Montreal crowd.

Ricciardo left Formula 1 in 2024 and went on to perform several more shoeys during his career. Few matched the one he shared with the actor familiar to fans of the franchise as Captain Jean-Luc Picard.