“Will Be Joining Us Next Year Unless…” Christian Horner Reveals What Could Stop Daniel Ricciardo From Joining Red Bull Next Year Despite Helmut Marko’s Overenthusiastic Confession

Red Bull Racing offered Daniel Ricciardo a much-needed lifeline for his stay in Formula 1. The Australian who’s due to leave the sport at the end of this season can stay back in F1 given the agreement falls in place between the two parties. Red Bull’s Christian Horner further explains.

Prior to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix free practice, Red Bull Racing’s Helmut Marko revealed to Sky Germany about Ricciardo’s inclusion in the team next year. Unfortunately for his fans, he will probably join the Bulls as a third/reserve driver and not as a main driver.

However, neither of the party confirmed signing a deal. As per F1 journalist Chris Medland, talking about this, Horner explained, “Well, we haven’t signed anything yet but Helmut, in his enthusiasm, announced it! So I guess that means Daniel will be joining us next year unless, of course, he chooses not to sign it!”

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

Now, it is up to the former Renault driver if he’s up for the job. Ricciardo will get behind the McLaren car one last time in Abu Dhabi as his two-year stint with the British team comes to an end. The Papaya team replaced the Australian with his compatriot Oscar Piastri for 2023.

Daniel Ricciardo needs to rediscover himself to come back to F1

Former F1 driver David Coulthard believes Daniel Ricciardo needs to take out his time to recollect and rediscover himself if he wants to be back in F1. A lot of drivers who went out have come back to the sport and a few recent examples are Nico Hulkenberg and Alex Albon.

Even Kevin Magnussen made a brilliant comeback, and so did Fernando Alonso after leaving the grid in 2019. Talking about this, Coulthard said that Ricciardo “needs to step away, take stock and rediscover whatever it was that was working for him in the first part of his Formula 1 journey.”

Moreover, Briton feels Ricciardo is fit and young enough to be able to come back to the sport in the coming years. Ricciardo leaves McLaren after two forgettable years in succession.

WATCH THIS STORY: Struggling ‘Honey Badger’ Daniel Ricciardo Once Dominated the Streets of Azerbaijan in Glorious 2017

When he joined the Woking-based team, expectations surrounding him were high. However, he couldn’t live up to them as he had to see his seat taken away by another Australian for the upcoming season. Do you think the Honey Badger can find his way back to the Grid as soon as 2024?