Breaking: Major Ricciardo boost revealed amid F1 RETURN with…read more
Major Ricciardo boost revealed amid F1 RETURN with…read more
Daniel Ricciardo has received a significant boost amid speculation about a potential return to Formula 1. The Australian driver was dropped from AlphaTauri in September after a challenging 2024 season, where he struggled to match the performance of his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda. Despite his exit from the sport, some believe Ricciardo could still make a comeback, especially with the upcoming entry of Cadillac into F1 in 2026. Reports have suggested that the American car manufacturer, backed by General Motors, could be considering Ricciardo for one of their seats, fueling rumors of his return.
However, Ricciardo himself has denied any intention of returning to F1, stating that he is “done” with the sport when questioned about a potential move to Cadillac. Despite Ricciardo’s decision to step away, his former team principal at Red Bull, Laurent Mekies, has offered a reassuring boost for the driver. Mekies praised Ricciardo’s technical feedback and expertise, highlighting how it benefited Tsunoda’s development during the 2024 season. According to Mekies, Ricciardo’s insights into car setup and race strategy were invaluable for Tsunoda, who showed significant progress over the year.
Mekies emphasized that Ricciardo’s experience with a top team—one that regularly fights for championships and wins races—was crucial for developing the team and improving the car. His race-winning mindset and ability to provide critical feedback allowed Tsunoda to better understand the car and its development. Ricciardo’s influence was not only felt in terms of car performance but also in terms of setting the benchmark for team operations and fostering a winning mentality.
The benefits of Ricciardo’s presence within the team were clear, with Mekies noting that Tsunoda was able to build a strong relationship with his teammate, absorbing valuable lessons from Ricciardo that helped him progress as a driver. Mekies’ comments highlight the significant role Ricciardo played in Tsunoda’s development and underscore the technical skills that many teams—particularly newcomers like Cadillac—could find appealing as they look to build their own competitive teams.
While Ricciardo has confirmed his departure from F1, the praise from his former boss serves as a reminder of his capabilities and could potentially influence teams considering him for a future role in the sport.
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