F1: Daniel Ricciardo Dreams of 'Fairytale' Red Bull Return

MIAMI, FLORIDA - Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on from the pit wall during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 05, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo : Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Daniel Ricciardo admitted that the fairytale ending for his Formula 1 career is to drive for Red Bull again.

The cheerful Australian is currently the third driver for Red Bull this season, serving as a backup to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. He has not seen any race action so far.

Ricciardo is considering driving for Red Bull's junior team AlphaTauri, but he doesn't want to do it this year. He has impressed with his simulator work for Red Bull since his return to the team.

Team principal Christian Horner notably said that the Australian got his "mojo" back after his struggles with McLaren.

Ricciardo previously drove for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018 as a main driver, winning seven races in that span and beating out then-reigning champion Sebastian Vettel in his rookie year.

He also drove for AlphaTauri's predecessor, Toro Rosso, from 2012 to 2013 as a Red Bull driver development program graduate.

Read more: Mercedes Chief Toto Wolff Confirms Upcoming Big Upgrades For W14 Car

Daniel Ricciardo After First Red Bull Spell

The 33-year-old left for Renault in 2019, where he spent two seasons. Although he did not win a race for the French outfit, Ricciardo delivered masterful performances in 2020 that pushed the relatively mediocre car to the limit, notching three podiums.

In 2021, Ricciardo joined McLaren to replace the outgoing Carlos Sainz Jr. He won the 8th race of his career in the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, but he struggled during the majority of his stint in the iconic team.

Aside from his win in Monza, Ricciardo failed to finish on the podium in two seasons with McLaren. The team decided to terminate his contract one year early, at the end of 2022.

Related Article: Max Verstappen Equals Ayrton Senna; Red Bull Notch 100th Victory 

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