- Daniel Ricciardo has been linked with new F1 team
- Ricciardo has responded to reports about Cadillac’s debut
- There has been speculation about the future of the Western Australian dollar.
Speculation continues to swirl around the future of eight-time race winner Daniel Ricciardo, but the unemployed Australian has ruled out a return to F1 to drive for Cadillac.
The always charismatic Ricciardo has yet to reveal much of his plans for the future and whether we will see him again behind the wheel of a racing car.
The 35-year-old endured an indifferent season with VCARB, with his best result coming in Canada, where he placed eighth in the standings.
Unfortunately, his poor form eventually led to his dismissal, with an emotional Ricciardo being sacked by the Italy-based Formula One team following his 18th place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Since then, some F1 fans have struggled to accept that Ricciardo’s Formula One career could be over, while others have speculated that the introduction of the new American team Cadillac for 2025 could offer the Australian a path back to the main motor sports circuit.
However, ESPN reported on Saturday that Ricciardo “has not been contacted and has no interest” in returning to F1 with the new team.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo rules out returning to F1 with Cadillac
The Australian driver was fired by Red Bull’s sister team, Visa Cash App RB, after the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Western Australian star “considers his Formula 1 career over,” according to the report.
It comes after rumors last week that Ricciardo could be lured to join another racing team, which could use its huge cash reserves to snap up the former Red Bull star.
According to Race.News, Japanese carmaker Toyota has been considering a shock move to land the Australian star and give him a “main role in motorsport” in Australia or the United States.
Sources close to the outlet claim that Toyota sees Riccardo’s value as a driver, but also as someone who can dramatically help improve the brand’s exposure.
“I’m told Toyoda can see his (Ricciardo) value, not just as a driver, but as someone who can attract a large number of fans thanks to his natural charisma,” the Toyota source told Race. News.
It’s not yet clear if any offers have or will be made, but Ricciardo could drive one of Toyota’s GR Supras in 2026 or join its NASCAR team, Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Thanks in part to his role in Netflix’s Drive To Survive, Ricciardo’s stock has soared in recent years and he is by far one of the most popular names in motorsport.
Therefore, it is said that Toyota is willing to pay a high price to get the star.
Daniel Ricciardo could be offered a ‘blank check’ to join a motorsport giant
And according to the outlet, the instructions to get the Australian star came from Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota.
“He (Toyoda) sees no downside to having him as the face of Gazoo Racing, which really is his pet project,” the Toyota source told the outlet.
“And from what I’ve been told, it’s almost a blank-check operation to get him to say yes.”
Race.News added that an approximate figure could be around $10 million.