F1 Rumor: Daniel Ricciardo Return to Sport Outlined by Insider

Alex Harrington | Nov 30, 2024

May 5, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; RB driver Daniel Ricciardo (3) walks in the paddock before the F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images / Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Daniel Ricciardo's rumored return to Formula 1 with Cadillac's potential entry in 2026 has sparked a strong reaction from the racing community. As speculations grow, the whispers of Ricciardo joining Cadillac's inaugural team have captivated fans. This development comes amidst the backdrop of General Motors and Cadillac's official entry as the 11th team on the F1 grid, a venture approved by both the FIA and Formula 1.

Ricciardo's name is not unfamiliar in the halls of Formula 1 glory. Having begun his F1 journey with HRT in 2011, Ricciardo has since driven for Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, McLaren, and most recently, the rebranded Visa Cash App RB F1 Team. His career, spanning 14 seasons, boasts eight wins and 32 podium finishes across 258 Grands Prix. Despite these achievements, Ricciardo's recent exit from the Visa Cash App RB F1 Team after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, where he was replaced by Liam Lawson for the season's remaining six races, seemingly marked a turning point, potentially signaling an end to his F1 career.

On the other side of the spectrum, Cadillac's entry into Formula 1 is poised to inject fresh energy into the sport. The significance of this entry is not lost on analysts, with Sky Sports presenter Naomi Schiff reflecting on the broader implications for F1.

“That was a positive of adding a new team, creating more opportunity for young drivers,” she said, while acknowledging the colossal undertaking an F1 team entry entails. “But as the drivers said, bringing a team in is a huge challenge.

“Initially it might be wise to have an experienced driver in the seat to help the team grow quickly."

Ricciardo's name inevitably surfaces alongside that of Valtteri Bottas in such discussions, with Schiff noting, “Valtteri, or Danny Ric? He’s popular with the American audience.”

The possibility of Ricciardo aligning with Cadillac feeds into the team’s broader strategy and also intersects with other potential driver selections, such as Colton Herta. Herta, a prominent figure in IndyCar and part of Andretti Global's team, has been identified by Mario Andretti as a prime candidate for Cadillac. Despite his current lack of superlicence points required to compete in F1, Herta's performance has garnered praise from insiders like Jenson Button.

“He is extremely quick. Everything he gets into his quick,” Button noted, recounting their shared racing experiences at Daytona. “Yes. He will be quick from the word go. There is obviously a lot of learning, very different to IndyCar.

“He’s got the mindset.”

Button, a former F1 champion, shared his insights on the burgeoning popularity of F1 in the United States. "The sport has grown massively in the States and that’s great for the sport," he stated. In Button's view, involving General Motors and Cadillac is an important moment for F1.

“Getting the interest of GM and Cadillac will bring more eyes, prospects, interest, and sponsors in the future,” he mentioned, further noting the indirect pressures this might mount on current teams.

“The teams will take a bit of a pop which they won’t like. But in the long-term this is great for the sport. It has grown so much. It is going to level out and this is the next step to give it a little kick."

The anticipation of Cadillac's debut, coupled with the possibilities tied to Ricciardo's legacy in the sport, paints an intriguing narrative going into next year. With the dynamism of this unfolding story, questions linger regarding Ricciardo’s next moves and Cadillac's assembly, as both work through the intricacies of the grid leading into 2026.