Everyone goes home sooner or later. There Red Bull, after having closed the world championship with a double success in the constructors' and drivers' titles, is ready to reopen the doors to one of the drivers she raised, and who is now ready to wear blue again: Daniel Ricciardo. Daniel is one of the riders who said goodbye to the top category last Sunday, ad Abu Dhabi
His was an unexpected retirement, Daniel in 2023 should have stayed in McLaren but the team has decided to bring forward the expiry of his contract by leaving him on foot next season. Without a race seat, his only option to stay in the paddock was to find a place as third driver. Red Bull, perhaps to protect themselves given the crisis between Verstappen and Perez, perhaps because deep down he always felt something special for Daniel, decided to enroll him as third driver for the 2023 season.
Horner's words
La news it's not entirely new. The indiscretion had already been launched by none other than Helmut Marko, Red Bull super consultant. All that was missing was the signature, as Ricciardo also said at the end of the race in Abu Dhabi, and this arrived just in the hours following the last race of the season. Ricciardo will take care of working on the simulator and will participate in commercial activities. However, a return as starting driver cannot be ruled out in the event that Red Bull decides to relieve Perez of his post, perhaps as early as 2023 or 2024.
Daniel's return has been met with great enthusiasm from the team. Here are the words of Christian Horner. "It's great to bring Daniel back to the Red Bull family. He is enormously talented and has a brilliant personality. I know the entire establishment is thrilled to welcome him home. In his role as test and third driver, Daniel will give us the opportunity to diversify our activities, contributing to the development of the car and helping the team with his experience and knowledge of what it takes to be successful in F1. We are very excited to be working with Daniel again and can't wait to find out everything he will bring to the team in 2023."
Ricciardo: “A fantastic welcome!”
From tears before getting off the MCL36 for the last time, to a rediscovered smile. Daniel Ricciardo didn't want to leave the paddock with bad memories of his last two disappointing years at McLaren. Red Bull gave him a second chance and the welcome he received moved the Australian. “The smile says it all: I'm really excited to come home as the third Red Bull driver in 2023. I already have so many fond memories of my time here but the welcome from Christian, Dr Marko and the whole team is something I sincerely appreciate. For me personally, the chance to contribute and be surrounded by the best F1 team is extremely attractive, and it also gives me some time to recharge and focus. I look forward to being with the team and supporting them with simulator work, test sessions and commercial activities.”
Source statements: FormulaPassion
