After 13 years of career in Formula 1, Daniel Ricciardo has left Racing Bulls and the paddock is wondering about his future. Starting from the United States Grand Prix in Austin, it will be the young Liam Lawson. to take his place for the final six races of the season, but what will be the next chapter in the career of the Italian-Australian driver? While the possibility of seeing Ricciardo behind the wheel of a single-seater seems increasingly remote, on the other hand Red Bull, in particular Helmut Marko, seems to want to keep him tied to the team, albeit in a different role.
Marko's offer: exhibition pilot
Helmut Marko, Red Bull super consultant, revealed in an interview with Formel1.de that the team would like to keep Ricciardo as a road-going driver. This role would see the Australian take part in promotional events around the world, driving Red Bull F1 cars. This would play to his huge popularity, especially in the United States, where Ricciardo is one of the most beloved figures in the paddock.
“We had some conversations with Daniel,” Marko explained. “We are clearly interested. He is one of the most popular pilots, especially in the United States. But he wants to have some time to think about his future.”
Farewell to F1 or a new beginning?
Daniel Ricciardo's tears at the end of the Singapore Grand Prix have raised speculation that he is leaving Formula 1 for good, but there has been no official announcement yet. Despite his departure from Racing Bulls, there are still some who hope that Ricciardo will find a new opportunity in F1, but the reality is that the seats available for 2025 are almost exhausted. The only seat still vacant seems to be that of Sauber, but the competition is between Valtteri Bottas and the young Gabriel Bortoleto, with the Finn the favorite.
On the other hand, Ricciardo has already ruled out the possibility of returning to the role of third driver, confessing that accepting a reserve role after leaving McLaren was just a way to prepare for his return to the track.. Now, with Marko's offer to become a show driver, Ricciardo finds himself at a crossroads.. "I don't think he will go racing in other categories", Marko explained. “But if he were to stop competing, why would he want to do this kind of PR work? He’s already made a lot of money, so it’s his decision.”
Between nostalgia and new possibilities
Ricciardo's future remains shrouded in mystery. While Marko's proposal could guarantee him a constant presence in the world of Formula 1, the Australian may also choose to take a break or pursue new adventures. Ricciardo has previously admitted a possible interest in endurance races such as the Le Mans 24 Hours, ruling out IndyCar due to his concerns about oval racing.
Ricciardo's career, since his farewell to Red Bull in 2018, has been characterized by ups and downs. The move to Renault did not bring the desired results, except for the two podiums achieved in 2020. While the two years at McLaren were marked by difficulties, with the sole exception of the surprising victory at Monza in 2021. Even the recent return to AlphaTauri and Racing Bulls failed to relaunch his career, culminating in his early separation.
Ricciardo's Future: Will He Accept Red Bull's Plan?
While Helmut Marko has outlined a possible path for Ricciardo, it remains to be seen whether the Australian will be willing to accept a role so far removed from racing. The Red Bull connection could allow him to remain in the world of Formula 1. But the question on everyone's mind is whether Ricciardo is ready to step away from the wheel for good. For now, the future of the beloved Italian-Australian driver is uncertain, and only time will tell what his next chapter will be.
