Daniel Ricciardo Focused On Red Bull Return For 2025

Daniel Ricciardo is doing nothing to dispel the rumours that he is actively aiming for a return to Red Bull’s premier Formula 1 team for 2025.

There is speculation among some insiders that this shift could happen as early as mid-season this year, particularly if Sergio Perez fails to keep pace with teammate Max Verstappen. Such a scenario would pave the way for Ricciardo to move up from his current position with Red Bull’s junior team, potentially making room for Liam Lawson to step in.

34-year-old Ricciardo, however, says he’s not getting carried away yet.

“The return to Red Bull Racing is the bigger picture,” he is quoted as saying at the Bahrain test by Speed Week. “But to be honest, I’m not thinking about it at the moment.

“I now want to concentrate fully on my work here – it won’t do me any good to dream about something else. My contribution last year was appreciated and I want to continue to contribute here.”

Indeed, Ricciardo had been sacked by McLaren just months before Red Bull’s junior team ousted the similarly underperforming Nyck de Vries mid last season and pulled the 34-year-old Australian off the reserve bench.

He admits the McLaren saga had left him drained, but now insists that he was “constantly on the phone” to his new F1 bosses over the recent winter period.

“I was a little surprised at myself, how eager I am to work and drive,” said Ricciardo. “That’s the unmistakable sign for me that I’m ready for the season.

“It didn’t feel like a break at all, but my 2023 was so unusual that I didn’t need it. I want to perform so well here that I force myself into that (Red Bull) seat.”