Christian Horner Throws Out Red Bull Invitation to Daniel Ricciardo
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Christian Horner extends an open invitation to Daniel Ricciardo to work with Red Bull, despite his exit from the F1 team. Read about Ricciardo's possible future in motorsport.
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has issued an open invitation to Daniel Ricciardo to return to the team in a non-driving capacity. Although Ricciardo's driving career with Red Bull has come to an end, Horner expressed that the Australian would be “very welcome” to continue working with the team in any role he chooses.
Ricciardo’s Red Bull Career Comes to a Close
Daniel Ricciardo’s tenure as a Red Bull Racing driver came to an abrupt end when he was replaced by Liam Lawson in the team’s driver lineup. This move has closed the door on any future return to the Red Bull Racing squad. However, Ricciardo’s relationship with the energy drink company is far from over. Despite his departure from the team, the door remains open for Ricciardo to work with Red Bull in other capacities.
Following his last race at the Singapore Grand Prix, Ricciardo decided to step back from motorsport, taking time to reflect on his future. While he mulls over his next steps, the possibility of him continuing his association with Red Bull through ambassadorial or promotional roles is on the table. Red Bull has a long history of using former drivers, such as David Coulthard, for marketing events and stunts, and Ricciardo could find a similar role in the future.
Christian Horner: Ricciardo Would Be Welcomed Back
Christian Horner, speaking to the media after the United States Grand Prix, commented on Ricciardo’s status, saying: “He grew up with Red Bull, and he’s taking some time out at the moment. But he’d be very welcome, any time, to be part of whatever role he elected to want to get involved in.”
Horner went on to emphasize Ricciardo’s massive profile, noting that he has a longstanding connection with Red Bull and is always welcome to engage with the team in some capacity. “You’re a long time retired, so if he chose to want to get involved in some activities in the US in any way, it’s something we’d be very open to,” Horner added.
While Ricciardo was recently seen on social media with a hat that humorously referenced his retirement, Horner explained that this was simply a playful moment and not an official declaration of Ricciardo’s retirement from motorsport. “That’s his decision that he wanted to make,” Horner remarked with a smile.
Daniel Ricciardo’s Future in Motorsport
Although Ricciardo has stepped back from Formula 1, the 34-year-old Australian is still very much a respected figure in the world of motorsport. The Supercars Championship, Australia’s premier touring car series, has expressed strong interest in having Ricciardo join the series. Supercars CEO Shane Howard told News Corp that the series would welcome Ricciardo “with open arms,” describing him as an “incredible driver” and an “incredible personality” who would be a huge asset to the championship.
Howard also highlighted the potential for Ricciardo to participate in major events like the Perth street race or the Bathurst 1000. “Just imagine if he could be in one of our cars and race in a new street race in Perth, that would be something special, wouldn’t it?” Howard said. “Imagine him racing at Bathurst, wow. That would be very cool indeed.”
Despite the allure of Supercars, Ricciardo has expressed some reservations about continuing his racing career. Speaking candidly about his future after his departure from Formula 1, Ricciardo explained that racing in any series other than F1 may not provide the fulfillment he’s looking for. “No disrespect to other series — I’m a fan of NASCAR and a lot of other forms of motorsport — but because I’ve been there and experienced the highest of highs, will I get true fulfillment doing something else?” Ricciardo said during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.
Ricciardo went on to suggest that he may not be interested in returning to racing. “There’s no guarantee I’ll be awesome doing something else. Is that actually going to scratch the itch and give me what I want? I don’t know,” he said. “I’d probably say more no than yes,” Ricciardo added, leaving his future in motorsport uncertain for now.
The Future of Daniel Ricciardo
As Red Bull awaits Ricciardo’s decision on his future, it’s clear that the Australian driver has many options, whether in motorsport or outside it. While a return to Formula 1 seems unlikely, a role with Red Bull as an ambassador or a potential switch to Supercars could offer new avenues for Ricciardo’s career. For now, though, Ricciardo is focused on taking time for himself and deciding what path he wants to pursue next.
Whether Ricciardo chooses to remain involved with Red Bull or take on a new challenge in another motorsport discipline, his legacy within the sport remains intact. As one of the most popular and charismatic drivers in Formula 1 history, Ricciardo’s next chapter will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and industry insiders alike.
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