F1 News: Horner Responds to Daniel Ricciardo Rumours - "Great to See Him Back In A Red Bull"

Daniel Ricciardo has one last chance to prove himself to Red Bull.

Australian F1 racer Daniel Ricciardo is eager to hop into one of the Red Bull Formula 1 cars for the next season. According to him, retiring from F1 after racing for Red Bull is "a fairytale".

However, despite him being a part of the Red Bull team currently, his chances of returning to full-time Formula 1 racing can increase only when he proves that he's still got enough 'oomph' in him that got Red Bull seven victories.

And to prove that, Ricciardo will be taking part in the Pirelli tyre test in the coming week which will help Red Bull team bosses assess his performance. 

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said that the team isn't planning on Ricciardo's return to full-time racing. He said:

“It’s not something that we’re planning, that’s for certain. So it was right to give him the opportunity this year to remain within the team and keep him around the sport.

"I think it would have been a loss to the sport for him just to disappear and I think that I didn’t recognise the Daniel of the last couple of years so I’ll be very interested to see what kind of job he does on Tuesday.”

From the looks of it, the Red Bull boss wants to asses many things about Ricciardo, and only then will the management be able to take a decision from there. Especially when you consider the fact that it has been long since Ricciardo drove an F1 car during his last race with McLaren. 

The Pirelli tyre test would be an ideal playground to see where Ricciardo stands. Horner said:

“It’s an important test for Pirelli but it’s also going to be great to see him back in a Red Bull car and see what he can do.

"Where he’s at, both on pace and mentally, physically and to get his feedback on this car as well.

"So I think it’s a good opportunity for him to get back behind the wheel of a car that’s just won the British Grand Prix.”

The Pirelli tyre test then, could be one of the most important tests of Daniel Ricciardo's career. Hope he does well!