Ricciardo held secret talks over 2027 racing return, two years after F1 axe
Photo: Race Pictures
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Daniel Ricciardo has held talks about a return to racing for the first time since his Formula 1 exit, with reports linking him to the new Fortescue Zero Formula E team, who approached him about a 2027 drive.
The Australian has not raced since the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. After that weekend, Red Bull's sister team replaced him with Liam Lawson. More than two years later, Lawson is fighting to keep that same seat, and the man he replaced has been linked with a comeback for the first time.
Fortescue Zero sounded out Ricciardo for GEN4 debut
According to reports, Fortescue Zero contacted Ricciardo in September. The team wanted to know whether the former Red Bull, McLaren, Renault and Racing Bulls driver was interested in racing in the series' new GEN4 era. The tentative talks did not lead to a formal offer, and the team did not take them any further.
The team's roots explain the interest. Fortescue Zero was formed after it bought out Penske Autosport in September. It is set to become the first Australian-owned team in Formula E, and its founder Andrew Forrest is known for investing in Australian sport, especially rugby. The outfit had initially wanted an Australian driver for its debut campaign. It also briefly considered Haas reserve Jack Doohan, but no significant talks took place with him either.
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In the end, the team picked an all-British line-up. Taylor Barnard and Dan Ticktum will drive for Fortescue Zero in its first Formula E season in 2026-27.
Ricciardo opened the door to a one-off return
The report comes days after Ricciardo spoke about his future on F1's Beyond the Grid podcast, in an episode released on 28 October. He admitted that his feelings about racing have changed since his exit. However, a full season was not what he had in mind.
A year ago, I would have said I will never put a helmet on again. I'm done. That's it. But there is something there where I'm like, it'd be nice for me to also finish a racing career a bit more on my terms.- Daniel Ricciardo on F1's Beyond the Grid podcast
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He added that "the thought of doing a full championship or something just still doesn't really sound that exciting". He suggested that a one-off appearance at the Le Mans 24 Hours could appeal, ideally alongside his former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen. He also said he did not want to come back "for ego or for some fairy-tale ending".
Those comments suggest Formula E was never a natural fit. The report does not say how Ricciardo responded to Fortescue Zero's approach.
Lawson now faces his own fight at Racing Bulls
The seat Ricciardo lost in 2024 is once again in doubt. Racing Bulls are the only team on the grid that has not confirmed either of its 2027 drivers. Team principal Alan Permane has named Lawson, Arvid Lindblad and Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov as the three candidates for two places.
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Lawson arrives in Brazil ninth in the drivers' championship with 83 points, but he has been given no timeline for a decision. "It is pretty blurry at the moment, so there is not much indication on when," he said ahead of the weekend at Interlagos. Ricciardo's case shows how hard it can be to return once you are out of an F1 seat.
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