He’s back home where it all began. Daniel Ricciardo heads into 2023 with a new contract as the third driver at Red Bull.
Red Bull Press Release:
Oracle Red Bull Racing today confirms Daniel Ricciardo will return home and re-join the Team as the third driver for 2023. Bringing a wealth of experience and character, Daniel will assist the Team with testing and Sim work, as well as commercial activity.
With 29 trophies to his name, there were plenty of high points in an excellent first run with Red Bull Racing. Immediately making an impact in his first year in 2014, finishing 3rd in the Championship and securing wins in Montreal and Budapest. Then onto 2015 and an epic Monaco performance and the fastest lap of the race, taking his maiden pole at the same race a year later. In 2016, he was also the only driver to finish all 21 races. 2017 saw Daniel win a wild Azerbaijan Grand Prix and take eight other podiums, before rolling into the 2018 season with a bang. He won two of the first six races that year, storming through the field in China and then who can forget that win in Monaco or perhaps just as iconic, that dive into the swimming pool?
Since Daniel left the Team at the end of 2018, he has spent 2 years respectively at Renault and McLaren. Whilst he hasn’t seen the success he was accustomed to, he remains a phenomenal and highly respected driver who brings another layer of knowledge and expertise to the Team.
Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner said: “It is great to bring Daniel back into the Red Bull family. He has enormous talent and such a brilliant character; I know the whole factory is excited to be welcoming him home. In his role as test and third driver, Daniel will give us the chance to diversify, assisting in the development of the car, aiding the Team with his experience and knowledge of what it takes to succeed in F1. We’re very pleased to be working with Daniel again and look forward to everything he will bring to the Team in 2023.”
Daniel Ricciardo said: “The smile says it all, 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 Christian, Dr 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!”
Perez must already be looking for a way out considering any pretense that he can be a winning driver there is over (the real boss Max has made that clear) and Horner is covering his butt. Good move for Daniel.
I agree . . . Good move for Daniel. If things do get worse at Red Bull, Checo will find himself walked out the door. Yes, he does have a contract but we all know contracts can be broken given the right incentive. It’s not like other teams where they need a drivers supporters/sponsors. Red Bull is not in this situation. I predict Daniel will be back on the grid in 2024 . . . if not sooner.
I honestly don’t think that it will take long for him to replace Perez, if he steps out of line, with regards to being a good wingman to Max. I can potentially see him in the car at some point in the next 12 months, but that’s just me.
He won’t get a drive @ RBR unless Perez (or Max) leaves, I guess it keeps him visible to other teams, but I’ll be pleasantly surprised if he gets another full-time drive.
https://au.motorsport.com/f1/news/horner-outlines-red-bull-f1-plans-for-ricciardo-in-2023-rules-out-race-return/10402122/
‘he remains a phenomenal and highly respected driver’ boy i really think a sober look at the facts disproves this. I would suggest he’s caused much more damage to his team and the teams of other drivers this year than stroll or latifi and that he’s been the clumsiest and most expensive (pay vs results plus damage) driver on the grid in several years. I think he’s being parked there as a threat to Perez, who otherwise has no reason whatsoever to help his team and teammate, who did exactly what perez said he did – showed what he really… Read more »