Formula One is slowly becoming a household name in the United States. Though much of it can be attributed to the massive campaigning and collaborations with NFL teams, most of the time it is because of the bonds the drivers have with popular NFL stars. One such friendship is the one Bills QB Josh Allen has with Red Bull Racing’s reserve driver, Daniel Ricciardo.
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F1 drivers have been warming up to American culture, thanks in part to the multiple races being hosted in the States. However, no one has quite taken to assimilating with the local culture, than Daniel Ricciardo. The 8x Grand Prix winner makes it a point to don a cowboy outfit during race weekends in Dallas. Added to that, he got a chance to see his favorite NFL team in action and warm up with Allen, late last year.
Daniel Ricciardo names Josh Allen as the celebrity he wants to take on a hot lap
The custom of F1 drivers taking celebrities for a lap around the track is a very popular one, albeit not a new one. Some popular ones include when Lewis Hamilton took Sir Frank Williams out for a spin. Another instance is when McLaren’s Lando Norris nearly gave Miami Heats’ Jimmy Butler a heart attack while driving around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada.
max really hates celebrities😭 pic.twitter.com/b4evGCyxZQ
— conni (@V3RLEC) May 7, 2023
For this year’s Miami GP, the Red Bull Drivers were asked which celebrity they’d like to take on a hot lap, if given the chance. Daniel Ricciardo was quick to call out Josh Allen’s name, together with Dax Shepard and Madeline Cline. It seems Ricciardo is still enamored by Allens. It is quite possible that these two have built up a lasting friendship behind the scenes as well.
Ricciardo and Allen are at starkly different points in their careers
While the two stars may be at the beginning of a budding friendship, they are each at a very different point career-wise. For Allen, this season will be an attempt to undo the mistakes of the last, not that there were many. However, the Bills will have realized that every single mistake they make is just going to help their rivals. Especially Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who will be looking to defend their Super Bowl title.
For Ricciardo, things are a bit more tense. A driver of his talent becoming a reserve driver does not bode well. Red Bull will want to field Checo and Verstappen for every race. Which reduces the chances of Ricciardo getting in the car. This means, if a seat opens up next season, the team might be wary of signing him. Will things get better for Ricciardo? Or will he spend another year attending Bills’ games?
