Source – GPFans.com
After leaving the VCARB less than two weeks ago, Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo has already received one job offer from Supercars CEO Shane Howard, who plans to speak with his management.
Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career came to a sudden halt when the Red Bull junior team made the unexpected decision to replace him with Liam Lawson for the remainder of the 2024 season. As Lawson gears up for his six-race audition starting at the United States Grand Prix, Ricciardo finds himself sidelined, with his future in F1 hanging by a thread. Despite a few vague hints from Christian Horner, suggesting the Australian could still play a part if current Red Bull drivers falter, the reality is that Ricciardo’s days on the grid might be over.
The man once hailed as one of F1’s brightest talents is now at a crossroads, and while Red Bull appears willing to keep him in their driver pool, the likelihood of him returning to a full-time race seat in the sport has faded. Audi’s last available seat for 2025 does not seem to have Ricciardo’s name on it, and no other team has made moves to snap up the Honey Badger. The open-door policy at Red Bull feels more like a polite gesture than a concrete plan, and the F1 paddock seems to be moving on without him.
However, as one door closes, another cracks open—this time on the other side of the globe. The Supercars series in Australia has made it clear that they would welcome Ricciardo with open arms, eager to bring the Perth-born driver back to his homeland. Supercars chief Shane Howard has expressed his enthusiasm, painting a tantalizing picture of Ricciardo racing in iconic Australian events like the Bathurst 1000 or a new street race in Perth. Howard isn’t shy about his ambitions: “Imagine Daniel Ricciardo in one of our cars at Bathurst—it would be absolutely massive.”
The Australian motorsport community is buzzing with the possibility, envisioning packed stands and roaring fans as Ricciardo brings his F1 flair to the Supercars grid. His charisma and undeniable driving skill would inject a surge of excitement into the series, elevating its profile on the global stage. Howard, recognizing the significance of such a move, has made it clear that Supercars would reach out to Ricciardo’s management team at the right time. With Blake Friend, part of Ricciardo’s management, having ties to Supercars, it seems that the conversation is not a matter of if but when.
Despite the enthusiasm from Supercars, the real question lies with Ricciardo himself. Known for his infectious personality and larger-than-life presence in the F1 paddock, Ricciardo has always worn his heart on his sleeve. His love for Formula 1 is undeniable, and he’s made no secret of his concerns about racing in other series after having experienced the pinnacle of motorsport. During the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, Ricciardo candidly admitted his reservations about stepping down from the F1 spotlight. “No disrespect to other series… but because I’ve been there and experienced the highest of highs, will I get true fulfillment doing something else?”
It’s a dilemma that many athletes face when their careers at the top begin to wane. After tasting success at the elite level, will any other experience truly satisfy the competitive drive that has fueled them for so long? Ricciardo’s comments suggest he’s leaning more towards staying away from other motorsports, questioning whether a move to Supercars—or any other series—would provide the same thrill as racing in Formula 1. “I’d probably say more no than yes,” he admitted, speaking on the idea of switching to a different motorsport discipline.
Yet, the allure of returning to Australia and competing in front of home fans, where his popularity remains sky-high, could still tug at Ricciardo’s heartstrings. The spectacle of seeing him in a Supercar would undoubtedly be a huge moment for Australian motorsport, and Howard’s vision of Ricciardo racing through the streets of Perth is as exciting for fans as it is for the Supercars series itself.
For now, Ricciardo is in a state of limbo. With Red Bull’s plans for him remaining unclear and his own doubts about finding fulfillment outside of Formula 1, the next chapter of his racing career remains unwritten. The Honey Badger may be down, but he’s certainly not out. Whether he eventually finds his way back onto the F1 grid or makes a high-profile return to Australia’s racing scene, one thing is certain—Daniel Ricciardo’s story is far from over. The world of motorsport is waiting, and whichever path he chooses will be watched with bated breath.
