Ricciardo F1 career given lifeline as...

Ricciardo F1 career given lifeline as Horner outlines Red Bull RETURN…read more

Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career may not be over yet, as Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hinted at the possibility of the Australian returning to the grid. Although Ricciardo was recently sidelined by Red Bull’s junior team, AlphaTauri, and replaced by Liam Lawson for the final six races of the 2024 season, Horner’s comments suggest that Ricciardo could still have a future with the main Red Bull Racing team.

Ricciardo, who has spent much of his F1 career within the Red Bull family, securing seven of his eight career wins with them, is currently without a confirmed seat for 2025. After struggling with form at McLaren, Ricciardo returned to the Red Bull fold in 2023 as a reserve driver. He was later promoted to AlphaTauri mid-season to replace Nyck de Vries. However, an injury sidelined him again, and Lawson was given the chance to prove himself in his place.

Despite Lawson’s opportunity to impress, Horner has not ruled out the possibility of Ricciardo returning to the Red Bull main team, particularly if current driver Sergio Perez continues to struggle. Perez, who recently signed a new contract, has come under scrutiny for his poor performance, collecting just 41 points in his last 12 races. This has raised questions about his long-term future with the team.

Horner’s comments on the “F1 Nation” podcast suggested that Ricciardo remains a viable option if either Lawson or Perez fails to meet expectations. “We’ve made it very clear that we want him [Ricciardo] to remain in an ambassadorial capacity with the team,” Horner said, adding, “And of course, one never really knows. If Liam doesn’t get the job done, if Checo doesn’t get the job done, we know what Daniel’s capability is.”

In the meantime, Horner has also offered Ricciardo a non-driving role as a team ambassador, allowing him to remain involved with Red Bull even if he isn’t racing. It remains unclear whether Ricciardo will accept this offer or if he will focus on securing another full-time seat in the future. However, with both Lawson and Perez under pressure, there remains a glimmer of hope for Ricciardo to make a return to the Formula 1 grid.