Will Daniel Ricciardo Return to Formula 1 Racing in 2024? | F1 News

Will Daniel Ricciardo Return to Formula 1 in 2024?

The 2023 Formula 1 season is still months away, but fans are already speculating about potential driver moves for 2024. One of the biggest questions surrounds the future of Daniel Ricciardo, who parted ways with McLaren at the end of 2022 after two difficult seasons with the team.

Ricciardo is one of the most popular and talented drivers in F1, but he has struggled to find his footing since leaving Red Bull in 2018. After a pair of largely uncompetitive years at Renault, Ricciardo joined McLaren in 2021 hoping to revive his career alongside rising star Lando Norris. However, the honeymoon period was short-lived.

Ricciardo's Difficulties at McLaren

While Norris scored the team's first win since 2012 at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, Ricciardo failed to reach the podium all season. The Australian seemed to have trouble adjusting to the unique characteristics of the McLaren car. His qualifying pace was often slower than Norris by a few tenths of a second or more.

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl remained outwardly optimistic about Ricciardo finding his form, but the 2022 season only brought more of the same. Despite claiming a popular first podium for the team at Monza, Ricciardo was clearly outperformed by Norris over the course of the season.

With highly-rated prospect Oscar Piastri waiting in the wings, McLaren made the decision to terminate Ricciardo's contract a year early. The team is clearly betting on the younger, cheaper Piastri being a better fit alongside Norris in the coming seasons.

What's Next for the Honey Badger?

Ricciardo has made it clear he still wants to race in F1, but finding a new seat will be a challenge. Most of the top teams are settled for 2023, and Ricciardo would likely have to take a pay cut to join a smaller team. Alpine and Haas are potential landing spots if they want an experienced driver to replace Fernando Alonso or Mick Schumacher.

Some have speculated that Ricciardo could take a year off from F1 and return rejuvenated in 2024. This would give him time to reset mentally and evaluate his options. He would also be available to substitute for any drivers who sustain injuries, as Romain Grosjean did for Mercedes in 2020.

The Case for Ricciardo's F1 Return

While Ricciardo will be 35 years old in 2024, he still likely has some prime racing years left if he can regain confidence in the car. Despite his recent struggles, he is a proven race winner and has shown flashes of brilliance in recent seasons.

Ricciardo's vast experience and technical feedback would be extremely valuable to any team on the grid. He has built a reputation as one of the best overtakers in F1, making him an exciting addition for the many new fans the sport has attracted in recent years.

Advanced age has not stopped other veterans like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel from contributing at a high level. With his infectious personality and "Honey Badger" persona, Ricciardo remains one of the most popular drivers in the paddock.

Potential Landing Spots

If Ricciardo does return in 2024, where could he end up? Here are some possibilities:

• Alpine - If the team declines to renew Alonso's contract again, Ricciardo could return to the Renault family and partner Esteban Ocon.
• Haas - Gene Haas is eager for more experienced drivers. Ricciardo would bring great technical insight to the growing American team.
• Alfa Romeo - Valtteri Bottas is only signed through 2023. Ricciardo's experience could help Alfa Romeo continue progressing up the grid.
• Williams - Leadership is happy with Alex Albon, but Ricciardo could be an attractive option alongside the Thai driver.

How Ricciardo Could Revive His Career

Should he return, Ricciardo would need to take deliberate steps to regain career momentum. Here are some keys to reviving his F1 prospects:

• Commit fully to learning the new car and providing detailed feedback to engineers.
• Work closely with engineers to understand how to adapt his driving style.
• Rebuild qualifying pace to consistently match or exceed team partner.
• Remain patient, focused, and mentally engaged through inevitable ups and downs.
• Block out outside criticism and pressure to prove doubters wrong.

With full commitment from himself and the team, there's no reason Ricciardo couldn't recreate the success he enjoyed during his peak Red Bull years. He is simply too talented not to bounce back from adversity.

The Bottom Line

Daniel Ricciardo's Formula 1 future remains one of the biggest mysteries heading into 2023. No one can say for certain yet whether the popular Australian will return to the grid in 2024.

However, the reality is that Ricciardo is still hungry for success in F1. As long as he can accept a likely pay cut and potentially a downgrade from McLaren, there should be options for him. Alpine, Haas, Alfa Romeo, or Williams could all benefit from Ricciardo's experience, racecraft, and personality.

After a reset year in 2023, a motivated and refocused Daniel Ricciardo could absolutely rediscover his winning form. For the sake of fans and the sport overall, let's hope we see the Honey Badger back on the grid in 2024.

FAQs

Why did Daniel Ricciardo leave McLaren?

Ricciardo struggled to match the performance of teammate Lando Norris during his two seasons with McLaren. With highly-rated young driver Oscar Piastri waiting in the wings, McLaren chose to terminate Ricciardo's contract a year early.

What teams could Ricciardo drive for in 2024?

Alpine, Haas, Alfa Romeo, and Williams are potential landing spots for Ricciardo in 2024. He would likely have to take a pay cut from his McLaren salary to join one of these teams.

How old will Daniel Ricciardo be in 2024?

Ricciardo will turn 35 years old in 2024. However, other veteran drivers like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel have shown age is just a number in Formula 1.

What does Ricciardo need to do to revive his career?

Full commitment to learning the new car, rebuilding qualifying pace, and remaining patient and mentally engaged will be key to reviving Ricciardo's career. Blocking out outside criticism and pressure will also be important.

Does Daniel Ricciardo still have the ability to win in Formula 1?

Absolutely. Despite recent struggles, Ricciardo has proven he can win at the highest level. With the right team fit and determination, he is still capable of winning races in F1.