Daniel Ricciardo set for Red Bull return as reserve driver for 2023

The Australian F1 star has finally decided where he will end up in 2023 after being sent packing from McLaren.

McLaren's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo arrives before the first practice session ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in the Emirati city of Abu Dhabi on November 18, 2022. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)

Daniel Ricciardo will be Red Bull’s reserve driver next season.

The Australian F1 star, who was dropped by McLaren in favour of Aussie young gun Oscar Piastri for 2023, will rejoin his old team as their back-up.

There had been suggestions that Ricciardo, 33, could have been on his way to Mercedes for a similar role, playing third fiddle to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

But Red Bull chief Helmut Marko confirmed to Sky Sports that Ricciardo would be re-joining the team as support to drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

“Ricciardo will be our third driver,” Marko said after first practice at this year’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.

“We have so many sponsors, we have to do show runs and the like, so of course he’s one of the most high-profile and best-suited.”

Helmut Marko has confirmed to Sky Germany that Daniel Ricciardo will be Red Bull's third driver next season. pic.twitter.com/PVsUzl2uU7

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) November 18, 2022

Ricciardo has vowed to return to the grid in 2024.

Unfortunately a seat at Red Bull can only eventuate in 2024 if the team shift Perez out, as his current contract ends after the 2024 season. Red Bull however have proved to be ruthless in the past and in the wake of the Brazil Grand Prix, tensions clearly exist between Perez and Verstappen.

His role as reserve driver will see him help with testing the car, simulator work, commercial obligations and filling in if world champion Verstappen or Perez have to miss a race.

He will also serve as back-up at Red Bull’s sister team. Alpha Tauri.

Sky Sports’ Damon Hill said Ricciardo’s decision to return to Red Bull was a smart one, predicting he could end up with the starting seat come 2024.

“It could be quite an interesting one if you think about the problems they have apparently had between Max and Sergio,” Hill said.

“Let’s say the toys go out of the pram and there is some sort of fallout there, Daniel Ricciardo could be in prime position.

“It is his home, and he does owe a lot to Red Bull so he will be very keen to be back in that fold.

“What is it about the prodigal son who returns?

“He could be in a good position coming back and having learned a lot in other places.

“It can be that you can improve having been somewhere else then returning to the place you started.

“I am sure that Sergio’s contract is watertight, and he will be there for a long time but if relationships deteriorate, sometimes it becomes unworkable, and the suspicion is Max has quite a lot of power in that team.”

Daniel Ricciardo won seven races for Red Bull. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Ricciardo’s time at McLaren was cut short after an underwhelming two-season stint, particularly when compared to his younger teammate Lando Norris.

The 33-year-old Aussie won the Italian Grand Prix for McLaren in 2021 but he’s failed to stand on the podium since then.

He previously won seven races for Red Bull, finishing third in the 2014 and 2016 seasons.

But he left the team at the end of 2018 to join Renault after reportedly growing frustrated at becoming Verstappen’s number two.