Red Bull didn't have to think long: 'Surprised to see him on the market'

Daniel Ricciardo will return to Red Bull Racing in 2023, albeit in the role of third driver. Team boss Christian Horner provides more clarity on what the Australian's duties will entail.

Ricciardo will attend a number of race weekends as a reserve driver, but will also do simulator work and be in action during tyre tests. In addition, he will be used for commercial activities. In this way, the 33-year-old Australian wants to stay as closely involved in F1 as possible, hoping to regain a permanent seat in 2024.

Red Bull did not have to think long

According to Horner, Red Bull did not have to think long about bringing Ricciardo back. "We were surprised to see Daniel be out on the open market," he said in an interview with Speedcafe. "So for us, having grown up with Red Bull, having nurtured him since being a junior, it made sense for us to bring him back into the fold."

Horner hopes Ricciardo can regain his love for F1. "I think that Daniel had fallen out of love a little bit with Formula 1. He’s had a couple of really tough seasons, particularly this year," the Brit continued. "Hopefully in that process Daniel will rediscover his passion for Formula 1."

The team boss did stress that there are no plans to use Ricciardo in any way other than in his role as a third driver, in conjunction with the commercial activities he will undertake. That first activity appears to be scheduled for Ricciardo at the 12 Hours of Bathurst.