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Daniel Ricciardo has largely been within the shadows as Pink Bull’s reserve Components One driver this 12 months, however the Australian is about to drive laps on the iconic Nordschleife circuit in September.
Driving a Pink Bull present automobile as a part of a competition main as much as the 12 Hours of Nurburgring, Ricciardo can be behind the wheel for the primary official F1 demonstration laps since 2013.
That was Michael Schumacher’s remaining time in an F1 automobile earlier than struggling vital accidents in a snowboarding accident.
Ricciardo has not been a daily presence within the race day paddock this 12 months, as he’s slated to make appearances at choose grand prix occasions and probably get behind the wheel for a tyre check.
Whether or not he returns to the grid in 2024 stays to be seen. Workforce principal Christian Horner has mentioned it’s unlikely to be with Pink Bull — regardless of Sergio Perez’s contract expiring on the finish of 2024 — however does imagine Ricciardo is able to drive at a second’s discover.
“I might say he is about 10 minutes away from being prepared,” Horner advised the Specific. “He is in fine condition; he is saved himself match and properly. I believe that he is coaching laborious and he is able to go, given the possibility.”
Ricciardo was let go by McLaren after two disappointing seasons following a stint at Renault and changed by one other Australian Oscar Piastri.
After discussions with a handful of groups, Ricciardo, an eight-time race winner, finally determined to take a 12 months off and rejoined Pink Bull because the reserve driver behind Perez and Max Verstappen.
The upcoming “foolish season” will decide what potential seats are open for Ricciardo on the grid in 2024.
Nonetheless, his acknowledged want to return for a crew competing on the high of the grid might not pan out.
Haas crew principal Guenther Steiner was overheard on the Netflix sequence “Drive to Survive” telling driver Kevin Magnussen final 12 months that Ricciardo was searching for “$10 million minimal”. Haas finally signed Nico Hulkenberg.
Steiner acknowledged that he chatted with Ricciardo on the airplane heading to the Australian Grand Prix this 12 months, however that the 2 didn’t focus on his future F1 plans.
“We did not even go there to be trustworthy,” Steiner advised Sky Sports activities Information.
“Danny wished to take a 12 months out after which see what he needs to do subsequent, and I believe when he is prepared he’ll cellphone individuals up and say ‘I am prepared once more.'”
Whereas Horner does not envision that being with Pink Bull, he’s hoping to see Ricciardo again on the grid.
“Daniel’s only a optimistic power to have round and it is nice to see him getting his mojo again, to see that huge smile on his face — he lights up a room when he walks in,” he advised the Specific.
“His reputation in Components One … regardless that he is not driving, he is nonetheless most likely the most well-liked driver right here, and for us, it is simply optimistic to have him within the crew, contributing to the crew, to the drivers, to the engineering crew.
“Hopefully, he’ll rediscover his love for the game. He’ll do a little bit of testing for us later within the 12 months and we’ll see how that how that goes for him.”
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