Daniel Ricciardo’s future in Formula One has been a topic of discussion since his departure from McLaren at the end of 2021. Now the Australian driver is revealing that he had talks with another team about a race seat for 2023 before deciding on a reserve driver role with Red Bull Racing. Let’s take a closer look at this exciting development and what it means for Ricciardo’s future in F1.
While Ricciardo was at McLaren, he lead Lando Norris in a stunning one-two at Monza in 2021, his first season with the team yielding 115 points. Last season was subpar, leading to his earlier-than-planned departure from the team. Compatriot Oscar Piastri will replace him at McLaren this season.
The exact identity of the team who approached Ricciardo to discuss a race seat remains unclear, though rumors circulate that Mercedes, who have been linked to Lewis Hamilton’s replacement when he retires, may be among them. Regardless, it is clear that there is still interest in having Ricciardo back on the grid as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing have welcomed Ricciardo onto their roster as their official reserve driver for 2021, while giving him time to consider his options for 2022 and beyond. Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes that this move could be beneficial to both parties: “Daniel’s experience in F1 will be invaluable for us and I think it also gives Daniel an opportunity to evaluate and assess where his future lies after 2022″.
It is clear that despite taking a step back from driving duties this year, there is still plenty of interest in Daniel Ricciardo’s services and he could yet return to racing sooner rather than later. At the same time, having him on board as Red Bull Racing’s reserve driver means they can benefit from his vast experience while giving him time and flexibility to consider his next move carefully. It is certainly an intriguing situation worth watching out for in the coming months!