Let’s face it. An F1® grid without Daniel Ricciardo simply doesn’t feel the same!
The Australian has spent this year on the sidelines after a tricky stint with McLaren and we’re missing the energy and excitement that he brings to the show.
It’s been great to see him donning the Red Bull overalls again as an ambassador, but what’s the go for next year? Is he any hope of getting a full-time drive again?
We want to see the Honey Badger executing late braking overtakes and drinking shoeys on the podium that made him so famous and popular with so many fans.
Speculation has begun circulating about the Australian’s future on the grid recently, so we’ve put together a few options for the Perth-born driver.
Red Bull Racing
This would be the absolute dream scenario for Ricciardo.
Returning to the team where he achieved seven Grand Prix wins and enjoyed the vast majority of his success in Formula 1®.
Although a comeback to Red Bull seemed like a far-fetched reality a few months ago, it’s now becoming more of a possibility.
After an excellent start to the season, Sergio Perez is starting to struggle in comparison to his teammate Max Verstappen. His last podium stretches all the way back to Miami and has failed to make Q3 in qualifying on multiple occasions.
Those are not the kind of performances that will please the Red Bull hierarchy; if he continues this trajectory, Red Bull may look to make a change for 2024.
According to reports, Ricciardo has been making significant progress in the Red Bull simulator and he’s scheduled for a three-day Pirelli tyre test in the near future.
That test could be crucial for convincing Red Bull that Ricciardo’s found his rhythm again and would be up to the task.
Red Bull doesn’t need another championship contender alongside Max, but they would want a driver that’s going to be able to provide the perfect support role for their superstar driver.
Ricciardo could fit that role perfectly while still winning some races.
Scuderia AlphaTauri
Red Bull’s sister team certainly isn’t as appealing as the big front-running option, but Ricciardo may have to consider it to get back on the grid.
Taking on a 34-year-old would be a huge shakeup for what is typically a proving ground for young aspiring Red Bull hopefuls.
Yuki Tsunoda’s contract ends after this season, and although no confirmation has been made, it seems unlikely the Japanese driver will not have a seat.
Nyck de Vries is also contracted until the end of 2024, but with his current performances, it is unlikely he will leap Red Bull Racing without a significant improvement.
It won’t be a big surprise to see a change at AlphaTauri, where Ricciardo might have to spend a year before a decision needs to be made at Red Bull on whether to go with Tsunoda, Ricciardo or stick with Perez to drive alongside Verstappen.
One major problem with AlphaTauri is that they are currently last in the Constructors’ Standings and Ricciardo would want to see huge improvement to make the risk worthwhile.
Haas
Guenther Steiner and Ricciardo sound like the makings of a perfect Drive to Survive bromance.
After the Australian split with McLaren, it looked like Haas was a chance to secure his services, but Ricciardo opted to sit a year out and become an ambassador for Red Bull.
Whether they could afford Ricciardo would be a huge question and the team is only just starting to show signs of being competitive again after regularly finishing last in the constructors’ championship for years.
Haas is already fielding an experienced and solid lineup of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg so whether they would want to make a change is up for debate.
At this point, it seems more likely that Ricciardo would opt in to stay with the Red Bull family.
Outside of F1®
If Ricciardo can’t find a competitive drive for 2024, it’s still highly likely that the Australian could look to look to pastures new.
Who wouldn’t want to see him drive at Bathurst in a V8 Supercar? Or test his skills at Le Mans in the World Endurance Championship.
Maybe he could even channel in inner Ricky Bobby in NASCAR or try his luck in IndyCar.
The Aussie has also made a name for himself out of the driver’s seat as a producer for an upcoming tv series, running his own merchandise and making appearances at huge events like the Met Gala.
Whatever Ricciardo ends up choosing, we can’t wait to find out!
And how good would it be to see two Aussies back on the F1® grid next year 😉
What do you think Ricciardo will be doing next year? Let us know in the poll below.
