Horner hopes to keep ‘brilliant character’ Ricciardo in Red Bull family as he hints at F1 lifeline for the Australian

Daniel Ricciardo’s exit from Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri has left Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal,

reflecting on the driver’s future within the organization. Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Horner hinted that while Ricciardo may not have a guaranteed seat in Red Bull’s race lineup for the near future, there is a strong desire for him to remain within the Red Bull family, potentially in an ambassadorial role. At the same time, Horner suggested that Ricciardo’s racing career might not be entirely over, leaving the door open for potential future opportunities if circumstances change within the Red Bull driver lineup.

Ricciardo, who has been a beloved figure both within the paddock and among F1 fans, will be replaced by Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson at AlphaTauri from the United States Grand Prix onwards. Lawson, who filled in for Ricciardo last season and showed promising form, is now stepping into a more permanent role as Ricciardo departs. The move is part of a broader effort by Red Bull’s senior management, including Horner, to consider the “bigger picture” regarding their driver line-ups, not just for AlphaTauri, but for Red Bull Racing as well.

Horner made it clear that Ricciardo’s absence will be felt, describing the Australian driver as a “brilliant character” and “brilliant human being” with an infectious personality. Ricciardo’s positive attitude and charisma have made him a fan favorite and a valuable presence in the paddock. Horner expressed his hope that Ricciardo would remain involved in Formula 1, even if his role moves away from the track and towards more of an ambassadorial position. This could allow Ricciardo to remain connected to the sport while stepping away from the demands of full-time racing.

However, Horner also left the door open for a potential return to racing for Ricciardo, should the opportunity arise. He pointed out that both Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing’s second driver, are under pressure to perform. Lawson, still early in his F1 career, will need to prove that he is deserving of a long-term seat with the team. Meanwhile, Perez has faced increasing scrutiny over his performance during the 2024 season, with several ups and downs throughout the year. Horner’s comments suggest that while Red Bull is keen to give Lawson and Perez a chance to secure their positions, Ricciardo’s racing capabilities are well-known and could be called upon if either driver falls short of expectations.

Horner acknowledged the bittersweet nature of Ricciardo’s departure from AlphaTauri, describing it as a missed opportunity for Ricciardo to fully reignite his career. After returning to Red Bull’s sister team, Ricciardo had hoped to use his experience and talent to earn another chance at a seat with the senior Red Bull team, where he had enjoyed significant success earlier in his career, including seven wins. Despite Ricciardo’s best efforts, Horner admitted that the outcome wasn’t what they had hoped for. Ricciardo gave it his all, but ultimately, the next chapter in his racing journey did not unfold as expected.

Reflecting on Ricciardo’s career, Horner praised the driver for his achievements and the many memories he created during his time with Red Bull. Ricciardo’s distinctive personality, including his memorable celebration of drinking champagne from his shoe after victories, left a lasting impact on the sport. Horner expressed admiration for Ricciardo’s candid acknowledgment of where he stands in his career and his understanding that, at 35, he has had a great run in Formula 1.

While it remains uncertain what the future holds for Ricciardo in terms of racing, Horner’s comments indicate that Red Bull is keen to keep the Australian close. Whether in a racing or ambassadorial capacity, Ricciardo’s connection to Red Bull appears to remain strong, and his future within the sport may still hold new opportunities.