Ricciardo given green light for... %

Ricciardo given green light for…read more

Daniel Ricciardo has been given the all-clear to make a dramatic return to Formula 1, according to the latest results imo

from a GPFans poll. The Australian driver, a fan favorite, has been at the center of intense speculation about his future after being left without a seat for the 2024 season.

Ricciardo’s F1 journey has been full of highs and lows. After parting ways with Red Bull in 2018 to join Renault, he later moved to McLaren, where his performance did not meet expectations. Despite securing a stunning victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, he struggled to consistently deliver results. His difficulties led to an early termination of his McLaren contract at the end of 2022.

Following his departure, Ricciardo found temporary refuge as a reserve driver for Red Bull in 2023. However, when Nyck de Vries was dropped from Red Bull’s sister team, AlphaTauri (now known as VCARB), Ricciardo was given another chance to prove himself. Many believed this was his opportunity to reclaim a seat at Red Bull, where he had once thrived alongside Max Verstappen. However, his performances alongside teammate Yuki Tsunoda failed to make a significant impact.

During the first half of the 2023 season, rumors swirled that Ricciardo could replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull, as the Mexican driver struggled to match Verstappen’s dominance. But team principal Christian Horner dismissed the possibility, stating that Perez’s seat was secure for the remainder of the year.

Ricciardo’s struggles continued after the mid-season break in August 2023. He failed to make a strong impression, and as a result, the team decided to replace him with young talent Liam Lawson in September. This decision left Ricciardo without a seat for 2024, sparking widespread speculation about his future in motorsport.

Despite his departure from the F1 grid, Ricciardo has not officially announced his retirement from the sport. This has fueled speculation about a potential return, with multiple racing series eager to sign him. While some reports linked him to a move to IndyCar or endurance racing, Ricciardo has remained tight-lipped about his next steps.

With the 2026 F1 season on the horizon, rumors of a comeback have intensified. The introduction of new regulations that year could shake up the driver market, providing Ricciardo with an opportunity to secure a competitive seat. His experience, racecraft, and immense popularity among fans make him an attractive option for teams looking to strengthen their lineup.

For now, Ricciardo’s future remains uncertain, but the latest poll suggests that fans are eager to see him return to the grid. Whether it happens in 2025, 2026, or beyond, the possibility of a Ricciardo comeback continues to be a major talking point in the F1 world.