Daniel Ricciardo is Red Bull’s third driver for the 2023 Formula 1 season; with the eight-time F1 race winner targeting a return to the grid next season; with Ricciardo and several team principals addressing his future during the Australian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo was let go by McLaren at the end of last season after a hugely disappointing two year spell with the papaya team, and rather than taking a 2023 seat towards the back of the grid, he opted for a year out of sorts by re-joining Red Bull.
The Australian driver, established himself as one of the sport’s top drivers by winning seven races for Red Bull between 2014-2018 but decided to leave for Renault before moving onto McLaren two years later.
His popularity and commercial value alone could almost guarantee him a seat at some teams, but with Ricciardo holding out for a drive in a competitive car, it remains unclear whether an offer to tempt him back onto the grid will be forthcoming.
Is a Red Bull return possible?
Red Bull have had a dominant start to the season, with them winning five out of five races so far this season, and Max looking to take a third consecutive world championship, where as Checo looks to battle him on that hoping to take his first.
There has also been speculation that in the event Verstappen or Perez were unavailable to drive in a race this season, Red Bull would promote Yuki Tsunoda from AlphaTauri rather than put Ricciardo in the season.
While that could be related to contractual obligations rather than performance expectations, it feels like Ricciardo is a long way from driving a Red Bull in competitive circumstances.
Where else could Ricciardo go?
While the Australian driver appears to be adamant he will only return in a competitive car, the chances of a seat becoming available at Red Bull or one of their main challengers – Mercedes, Aston Martin and Ferrari appears highly unlikely.
The most realistic scenario for a permanent Ricciardo return would appear to be a team convincing him that they can follow in the footsteps of Aston Martin and take a big step forward to contend at the front.
Haas were reportedly linked with Ricciardo last season, but a deal failed to materialise before Guenther Steiner filled his second seat with Nico Hulkenberg. After Oscar Piastri was confirmed as Ricciardo’s McLaren replacement, there were talks over a possible return to Alpine, the team which Ricciardo had ditched two years earlier.
They ended up signing Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri, who is contracted until the end of the 2024 season, along with team-mate Esteban Ocon.
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