After a long period of speculation around the paddock it has finally been confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo will be in a reserve role on the grid next year for non other than the team he left 4 years ago, the Oracle Red Bull racing team.
When Danny was displaced at the McLaren team this year by his fellow compatriot Oscar Piastri, the paddock has been awash with rumours about where he will be in 2023.
“Ricciardo will be our third driver,”
“We have so many sponsors, we have to do show runs, so of course he’s one of the most high-profile and best-suited.”
HELMUT MARKO Red Bull advisor, told Sky Sports, Germany.
At first the speculation was for him to replace Mick Schumacher at HAAS, however he denied this news quite quickly. It became apparent that he was happy to sit the year out from the main seat and become a reserve driver for the year. It was then between Mercedes and Red Bull as the speculation went back and forth.
It has however been confirmed today in Abu Dhabi by Helmut Marko himself that Daniel Ricciardo will become the teams third driver for the year.
He will be returning to the team he joined as a young driver, moving through HRT via a deal with the team in 2011. Then on to Toro Rosso for 2 seasons ’12 & ’13. And finally moving up to the senior team in 2014 replacing the outgoing Australian Mark Webber. First pairing with 4 time champion Sebastian Vettel and latterly partnering with a young Max Verstappen. (With a small stint with Daniil Kvyat thrown in for good measure)
What are your thoughts on this move? Happy to see him back where he started it all? Was it the correct move to make considering a seat was offered to drive for HAAS? Let us know in the comments.