“He Also Loves America”: 23-Year-Old IndyCar Sensation Gives Daniel Ricciardo a Candid Recommendation if F1 Future Plans Fail

Daniel Ricciardo will bid adieu to the F1 paddock for the time being. The McLaren driver is without a seat for next year after mutually terminating his contract with the Woking-based outfit. However, it is rumored that he will join Red Bull as their reserve driver. But IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward believes a switch to the American racing sport is always an option for the Aussie if things don work out in F1.

Pato O’Ward recently test-drove McLaren’s MCL36 in the FP1 session of the Abu Dhabi GP. The Mexican races for the Arrow McLaren SP team in IndyCar. The 23-year-old is also the 2018 Indy Lights champion. Moreover, O’Ward feels that outgoing driver Daniel Ricciardo could swiftly transition to IndyCar racing.

Ricciardo has previously admitted his love for American racing. He has even driven Dale Earnhardt’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo around COTA. However, he has been reluctant to try his hands at Indycar and has claimed that his sole focus is still racing in F1.

O’ Ward told Motorsport Turkey, “I heard Ricciardo didn’t want to make the switch to IndyCar and I respect that. But I think he’d love it, I think he’d really fit in. He also loves America. Also, some tracks are very, very fast and dangerous.” [Translated from Google]

READ MORE: “Not 100% Sure”: Sergio Perez’s Seat In Jeopardy While Daniel Ricciardo Endorsed to Return As Max Verstappen’s Red Bull Teammate

Daniel Ricciardo will take the wheel one last time for the Papaya team in Abu Dhabi. He endured a tough couple of years at McLaren after things did not pan out the way the Australian would’ve wanted to.

Despite rumors, Daniel Ricciardo will not replace Sergio Perez in the future claims Christian Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has dismissed any rumors of Daniel Ricciardo potentially replacing Sergio Perez. After the Brazilian GP last week, there have been many rumors of a rift in the relationship between Max Verstappen and Perez. However, Christian Horner has set the precedent straight with the Honey Badger’s contract.

Talking to Sky Germany, Horner said, “No, Daniel’s contract is very specific for a specific reason. We have a contract with Checo for the next two years.”

He further stated, “What the partnership of Max and Checo has produced has been phenomenal for us, and the five 1-2 finishes so far this year, the constructors’ championship that we haven’t won for eight years is a phenomenal achievement, and obviously the combination of both drivers’ points contributions.”

Horner added that the relationship between Verstappen and Perez is good and that the pair have helped the team considerably to win the constructor’s championship.

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Danny Ric fans will hope that the Aussie returns to the grid in 2024. The Honey Badger is still one of the most skillful drivers around. However, a move away from F1 might not be so bad for the McLaren driver either. Do you think Daniel should try his luck in American Racing?