Ricciardo Receives a Proposal Outside of F1 worth Millions
Automobile. The Australian, who was thanked by Racing Bulls after the Singapore Grand Prix, is currently studying his options. Even if Red Bull still wants to keep him in their stable, Shane Howard, president of Supercars Australia, would like to bring him into his championship.
Even sidelined from Formula 1, Ricciardo remains a sought-after driver. While the Australian has left the world of Formula 1 after the Singapore Grand Prix and will be replaced by Liam Lawson for the rest of the season, he has already received a job offer from the Supercars championship in Australia. A situation that would take him away from Formula 1, even though Red Bull still intends to keep him.
Christian Horner wants to keep Ricciardo in the Red Bull family.
Indeed, despite his eviction from Racing Bulls, the leaders of the Austrian team, starting with Christian Horner, would like to make him an ambassador for Red Bull, and do not exclude the possibility of making him Max Verstappen’s teammate if Lawson and Perez’s performances are not convincing enough.
We have been very clear that we wanted him to remain in a team ambassador role, and of course, you never really know. I mean if Liam doesn’t get the job done, if Checo doesn’t get the job done, we know what Daniel’s capabilities are, he told the media including GpBlog. Outside the Milton Keynes team, no other team has shown interest in the Australian driver, winner of eight Grand Prix in Formula 1. A situation that makes his return to Formula 1 unlikely, especially since he has received a proposal from Australia, his home country.
An opportunity for Ricciardo in Australia
Shane Howard, director of SuperCars Australia, has indeed expressed a deep interest in Ricciardo and would like to bring him into his championship at all costs. “I think everyone would welcome Daniel with open arms, absolutely,” he told News Corp. “Would we love to see Daniel Ricciardo in a Supercar? 100%.”
The proposal seems interesting, especially as it is located in Australia, Ricciardo’s home country, who has always expressed his desire to return there, especially when the pandemic struck the world of Formula 1 and he could no longer return home to see his family. “Imagine him in one of our cars and racing in a new city race in Perth, that would be something special, wouldn’t it? Imagine him racing in Bathurst, wow. That would be really cool.”
Howard revealed that he wants to talk to Ricciardo and his team at the risk of seeing the possibility of him joining his touring car series slip away. Nevertheless, these discussions could lead to a positive outcome since Blake Friend, a member of Ricciardo’s management team, used to work with Shane Howard, a factor that should facilitate the negotiations.
At the right moment, we would contact Daniel and his management. Clearly, he has a lot going on and we respect that. Blake Friend, who is part of his management team, used to work for us (at Supercars). At the right time, we will contact him, but we would definitely like him to be in one of our cars, 100%.
A driver not inclined to join another category.
The decision now belongs to Ricciardo. The Australian has revealed that he lost some motivation after driving in the top category of motor racing. Without wanting to disrespect other series – I am a fan of NASCAR and many other forms of motor racing – but having experienced Formula 1 and its greatest highs, will I feel true satisfaction doing something else? said the former McLaren driver.
There is no guarantee that I will excel in something else. Will it really fulfill my desire and give me what I want? I don’t know. I would probably say more no than yes. Daniel Ricciardo therefore does not seem to want to drive in another category, but he could be convinced by the Supercars, where he would have the opportunity to drive a single-seater again, especially in his home country of Australia.