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Ricciardo return to F1 circus hinted by Red Bull chief
Red Bull F1 boss Laurent Mekies has suggested that Daniel Ricciardo might return to the F1 paddock following his new deal with Ford Racing. Ricciardo was named Ford Racing’s Global Ambassador, marking his official return to motorsport after being dropped from F1 in September 2024. While a racing comeback for Ricciardo seems unlikely, he will be involved in Ford’s operations amid their upcoming powertrain collaboration with Red Bull for the 2026 season. Mekies mentioned that Ricciardo’s new role could pave the way for his return to the F1 paddock as a Red Bull guest, expressing excitement about seeing the Australian back in the motorsport community. The synergy between Ricciardo’s new position at Ford and their alliance with Red Bull resonates well with his past successes at Red Bull Racing between 2014-2018 when he clinched multiple race wins and high championship finishes. Despite Ricciardo’s earlier-than-expected exit from F1 in 2024, his involvement with Ford hints at continued engagement in the racing world, albeit not as a full-time driver.
