Ricciardo is home again at Red Bull
IT’S official – Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 career will continue as the reserve driver for champions Red Bull Racing.
The affable Aussie is returning to the team in which he made his name, taking the reserve role behind world champ Max Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez.
This was a move that has been a long time coming, and was so widely speculated for the past few weeks, even Red Bull’s official announcement led off with the time-honoured “worst kept secret” line.
But that doesn’t change the fact that Perth-born Ricciardo is back at a team where his popularity soared, where he won races and generally ran amok with a range of off-track activities that endeared him to fans worldwide.
His role now will involve “testing, sim work and commercial activity”, with Ricciardo set to attend some, not all, F1 events on the 2023 calendar.
Look out Melbourne and in particular, Las Vegas next year.
“The smile says it all,” Ricciardo, 33, said. “I’m truly excited to be coming back home to Oracle Red Bull Racing as their third driver in 2023.
“I already have so many fond memories of my time here, but the welcome from (team principal) Christian (Horner), (team adviser) Dr (Helmut) Marko and the entire team is something I’m sincerely appreciative of.
“For me personally, the ability to contribute to and be surrounded by the best team in F1 is hugely appealing, whilst also giving me some time to recharge and refocus. I can’t wait to be with the team and support with simulator work, testing sessions and commercial activities. Let’s go!”
Horner welcomed Ricciardo’s return and said it would make the best team in pit lane even stronger.