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Formula 1 2023: Australian GP MELBOURNE GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 31: Daniel Ricciardo on the Red Bull pit wall during the Australian GP at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on Friday March 31, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Mark Sutton / Sutton Images Images PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY GP2303_151728DSC_8226
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Formula 1 2023: Australian GP MELBOURNE GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 31: Daniel Ricciardo on the Red Bull pit wall during the Australian GP at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on Friday March 31, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Mark Sutton / Sutton Images Images PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY GP2303_151728DSC_8226
Formula 1 can be a cruel mistress at times. When you’re on top, you can seem unforgettable. However, the second you slip up, you’re old news. This is fate dangling like a sword over Daniel Ricciardo. The Honey Badger was once proclaimed as a future World Champion. Now, after a disastrous stint with McLaren, the 33-year-old is on the cusp of bidding this sport a not-so-fond goodbye.
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At the end of 2022, however, this wasn’t the case exactly. Ricciardo was admittedly in talks with Haas. However, that never really fructified. The Australian then went on to make a sensational return to Red Bull but will sit on the sidelines this year. But he’ll be itching to return back behind the wheel of an F1 car. Having turned Guenther Steiner down, made famous by his Drive to Survive outbursts, can he count on the Italian to give him a second chance in 2024?
Haas doors slammed shut on Daniel Ricciardo
Next year can arguably be make-or-break for the Honey Badger. You’re only as good as your last race, and Ricciardo hasn’t had one for months now. Yet, he still is a highly regarded driver, or at least should be. But when quizzed, Steiner had a firm reply.
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Guenther Steiner (ITA, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team), F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Circuit on March 31, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by HOCH ZWEI) Melbourne Australia * Guenther Steiner ITA, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team , F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Circuit on March 31, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia Photo by HOCH ZWEI Melbourne Australia
On a recent episode of the Lift the Lid podcast, hosts Billy Monger and Johnny Herbert quizzed Steiner about the possibility of approaching Ricciardo next year. He replied, “At the moment, I am very happy. We wanted to get Nico [Hulkenberg] onboard. This is what we needed.”
“He fits the team perfectly. He’s still hungry. He’s still pretty young! Everyone thinks he’s old now. No. There are many drivers who are older than him now in Formula 1. And Kevin [Magnussen], we called him back to the team last year for the same reason.”
All’s not lost for Ricciardo, though. Coming back to the Red Bull stable means he has 4 seats to choose from!
Ricciardo may after all make Red Bull return in 2024
The main team is a far shot for the Australian. However, the torrid start to the season that AlphaTauri driver and F1 rookie, Nyck de Vries has gotten to, means that the 33-year-old may be shifting to a full-time role in Faenza.
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RECORD DATE NOT STATED 5th May 2023: Miami International Autodrome, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA: Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2023: Free Practice Day: Daniel Ricciardo smiles as he arrives at the Paddock. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12505134 DouglasxMurray
Sports Illustrated reports, “The Australian driver is set to perform some Pirelli tests after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone so has made his way to Faenza to have a seat fitting for that. However, this has led many to believe that he is combining the trip with discussions of his F1 return with AlphaTauri.”
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Do you think AlphaTauri is the right place for Ricciardo to be if he wants to kick-start his F1 career again?
Written by
Edited by
Varunkumaar Chelladurai