After two years without competing, Daniel Ricciardo reveals that he might contemplate a return to racing, possibly to Le Mans, after his retirement from Formula 1. The Australian, winner of eight races, left the top tier of motorsport with a sense of sadness, but now he is open to new experiences.
Ricciardo has expressed that, while he feels his F1 career has likely come to an end, there is a part of him that seeks to close the chapter on racing with a good memory. In his recent appearance on the podcast Beyond The Grid, he commented: ‘A year ago, I would have said I would never put on the helmet again. Now, there is a slight possibility of doing it again, but with fewer commitments, maybe an event like Le Mans.’
The former Red Bull driver discussed the competitive nature of F1, which he sees as quite individualistic. Conversely, he expressed a desire to share a car with other drivers, which could create a different atmosphere of camaraderie than he experienced in his last years in the competition.
Ricciardo has admitted that his passion for racing had diminished, but the challenge of Le Mans could be the opportunity he needs to rediscover his passion. Reflecting on whether he should return to the tracks, he stated: ‘Everything should be done for the right reasons, without pressure or external expectations.’
Collaboration possibilities with Verstappen and Vettel
The name of Max Verstappen comes up in his considerations about future competition partners. Ricciardo commented that it would be an honor to share the track with the Dutch driver, who has also expressed interest in competing at Le Mans in the future. The idea of joining forces with Verstappen and possibly Sebastian Vettel, who has tested with Porsche, excites Ricciardo.
What would seem like a reunion of the Red Bull team could attract many fans, and Ricciardo is optimistic about this possibility. He concluded with a smile, wondering if it could be a good time to return to racing with the teammates who accompanied him during the brightest moments of his career.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
