- Daniel Ricciardo honestly confessed to Christian Horner
- Other motorsport competitions had approached him.
- But he chose to wait for an opportunity in Formula One.
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Daniel Ricciardo has explained why he felt no desire to consider approaches from IndyCar and NASCAR during his frustrating period on the sidelines last year.
Ricciardo’s Formula One career was stalled for the first half of 2023, with no team offering the popular Australian a seat after he lost his McLaren drive in 2022.
He ended up accepting a “third driver” role with Red Bull as he weighed his options, with IndyCar and NASCAR emerging as potential new homes for the 34-year-old.
And in episode two of Drive To Survive, Romain Grosjean, the former F1 driver who made the move after leaving Haas, implores Ricciardo to join IndyCar.
‘When you come?’ Grosjean asks Ricciardo before the Monaco Grand Prix. ‘Come on. It is a good career.”
Daniel Ricciardo honestly admitted to Christian Horner last season
Ricciardo’s career was at a crossroads at the start of the 2023 season
Romain Grosjean was seen trying to persuade Ricciardo to join IndyCar
Ricciardo politely amused the Frenchman before heading to the Red Bull camp, where he discussed his situation with team principal Christian Horner.
“They’re desperate to get you into damn NASCAR,” Horner admitted.
“Yes, I know,” Ricciardo replied. “I just don’t want to…because honestly, I don’t feel finished yet, I don’t want to start going off track.”
—Has anyone else left the paddock yet? Horner asked. to which Ricciardo shook his head.
“It’s still very early, though,” Horner said.
“I certainly don’t want to make plans,” Ricciardo insisted.
“Take your time,” Horner advised.
As it was, Ricciardo bided his time and was rewarded with a seat at AlphaTauri after Red Bull’s junior team dropped Nyck De Vries.
Horner ended up giving Ricciardo a lifeline in Formula One with AlphaTauri
Horner gave Ricciardo his second chance after an impressive test at Silverstone, matching Max Verstappen’s speed during one stint on track.
‘That lap you just did would have put you next to Max [Verstappen] on the grill,” Horner told Ricciardo’s entourage.
“He looks like the Daniel we know, not the one of recent years.
“I want to put it in the car for the next race.”