Daniel Ricciardo returned to the Red Bull family in 2023, albeit as an RB driver, hoping to get his career back on track after difficult years at Renault and McLaren. Things didn’t quite work out though and he had to leave F1 altogether — a situation the Austrian team should have handled with more grace, said Toto Wolff.
Ricciardo had appeared to be somber throughout the Singapore GP weekend earlier this year. Although his exit — amidst a run of poor performances — was not confirmed, all the signs were pointing towards that. Still, the F1 community was left hanging, and the news became official two days after the race when Liam Lawson was announced as his replacement.
“How this ended is a real shame. How they didn’t give him the platform because he’s done so, so well,” the Mercedes boss said on the Armchair Expert podcast.
Wolff, who recently gave a grand farewell to Lewis Hamilton, suggested that Ricciardo should have received the same treatment from Red Bull, given all he had done for the team over the years.
BREAKING: Daniel Ricciardo to leave RB, the team has announced#F1 pic.twitter.com/dWK02446hM
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 26, 2024
Ricciardo, a top driver for Red Bull during his first stint between 2014 and 2018, had left Milton-Keynes seeking a new challenge. However, things went downhill since then and his confidence took a hit. Still, Red Bull brought him home to replace an underperforming Nyck de Vries midway into 2023.
The idea was to have him and Yuki Tsunoda compete for the title of the best RB driver. One who would be considered for an eventual Red Bull seat.
But while Tsunoda continues to be in the conversations, Ricciardo faded. The eight-time race winner didn’t get the farewell he deserved either, and the paddock continues to miss his charismatic presence.
Will Ricciardo ever return to Formula 1?
Ricciardo’s reputation as one of the most affable personalities in the paddock will ensure he can keep his post-racing business ventures thriving. But is a return to F1 racing truly off the table?
A driver like Ricciardo can never be ruled out to make a comeback. And the current complexion of the driver market seems to hint at a possible return for the Honey Badger as soon as 2026.
With General Motors now set to enter the grid as the 11th team in 2026, two spots have opened up. Rumors in the paddock suggest that the American team will prioritize experience over youth, potentially opening a door for Ricciardo.
