Daniel Ricciardo Insider Ruins Hopes of His F1 Return as Driver Fights for Seat

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger has commented on Daniel Ricciardo's hopes for an F1 return.

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger, who also happens to be Daniel Ricciardo's partner's father, has spoken out on the Australian driver's hopes of returning to Formula One.

The eight-time grand prix winner lost his seat with McLaren last year and ended up signing with Red Bull as their third driver for the 2023 season, taking a year out of the on-track action. However, Ricciardo has remained adamant throughout the season so far that he is eager to make a return to a full-time seat.

The 33-year-old has also explained previously that he is only interested in returning to the grid for a "competitive seat". Although, just recently he said that he would like to finish his F1 career with Red Bull and would return to AlphaTauri if that meant he could work his way back up to the Austrian team. 

During an interview with Austrian website OE24, Berger was quizzed on his daughter, Heidi's, relationship with Ricciardo and also his opinion on the Australian driver's hopes for an F1 return. Berger, who competed in Formula One between 1984 and 1997 for the likes of ATS, Arrows, Benetton, Ferrari, and McLaren and even had a 50% stake in Toro Rosso from 2006 to 2008, commented:

"Heidi lives in New York, studies and works in the film industry. She was recently in Tokyo for three months for a Disney shoot. I call her regularly and know she has been with Daniel for two or three years. He is a likeable, nice guy.

"If he gets another chance at Red Bull now, I would be happy. On the other hand, I would be surprised [that Ricciardo can race for Red Bull], because it does not fit into the Red Bull philosophy, as the team is betting on young drivers."