With Eyes on 2024 Grid, Daniel Ricciardo Gets Tempting Invitation From Former F1 Driver to Alternate Career Path

Romain Grosjean bowed out of Formula 1 after the catastrophic 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix crash where he burned both his hands. The Frenchman, however, returned to motorsports the following year, racing in the IndyCar Series. He initially drove the #51 Dallara DW12 for Dale Coyne Racing w/ Rick Ware Racing and then the #28 for Andretti Autosport.

As Daniel Ricciardo has decided to take a year off from Formula 1, Grosjean has a word of advice.

The news of Pierre Gasly’s move to Alpine came out on Saturday. As Alpine was a destination that Ricciardo was possibly aiming for, he decided to not race in 2023 at all. This prompted the question- what should Ricciardo do in 2023? Romain has a suggestion for him.

Romain Grosjean’s invitation to Daniel Ricciardo

There is still one seat each vacant at Haas and Williams. Daniel Ricciardo, however, seems uninterested. The Honey Badger has clarified that he tried his best, despite knowing that Alpine wanted to sign Gasly. But now that Gasly’s move is confirmed, Ricciardo will try to make a comeback to Formula 1 in 2024.

Motorsport.com, using their Twitter handle, asked what fans thought Ricciardo should do in his off-season. There was a familiar face on the thread. That face was Romain Grosjean, and he has pretty good advice for his former Formula 1 competitor. Grosjean wrote, “Would love to see @DanielRicciardo come in @IndyCar.” 

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On the rumors of Ricciardo joining Mercedes as a reserve driver, the Honey Badger did not rule out the move. He said that he planned to remain in Formula 1. However, we all know how big of a Dale Earnhardt fan the Australian is. Therefore, even a move to NASCAR cannot be ruled out.

Daniel Ricciardo’s love for Dale Earnhardt

Daniel Ricciardo posted a photo of him and Lando Norris before the Japanese GP weekend. What caught the fans’ attention was what Daniel was wearing. He had a jacket on which had Earnhardt’s name and his racing number “3” written on it. Daniel’s obsession with Earnhardt Sr. isn’t news to the fans though.

As we know from the popular Netflix series Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Ricciardo was ecstatic after he received Earnhardt’s 1984 Wrangler Chevrolet Monte Carlo miniature from Zak Brown. Brown even promised Ricciardo that he would let him take the actual car for a spin when Ricciardo wins his first podium.

The McLaren boss kept his word after Ricciardo won the Italian GP. He let Daniel take the Chevrolet for a ride before the US GP.

Watch This Story: Daniel Ricciardo Set to Drive NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt’s 1984 Chevrolet Car at Texas

It is an exciting prospect for fans to see Ricciardo race in IndyCar or NASCAR. Formula 1, however, will feel incomplete without his ever-beaming smile.