Ricciardo gets an offer to continue racing: '100% want him in the car'
F1 News
Daniel Ricciardo will be "welcomed with open arms" by V8 Supercar bosses after the Australian was forced out of Visa Cash App RB and F1 after the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. Ricciardo is set to receive an offer to join the series, which has races in Australia and New Zealand.
Ricciardo is one of the most universally liked drivers in Formula 1's recent history. The eight-time Grand Prix winner was always seen with a smile on his face in the paddock, but he was more than that. Ricciardo was one of the most successful drivers on the grid, with only Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Valtteri Bottas winning more races than him in the current crop of drivers.
Ricciardo's F1 career seems all over after VCARB and Red Bull promoted Liam Lawson to the seat for the rest of the 2024 season. But the 35-year-old might be able to continue his racing career in the V8 Supercars. Series boss Shane Howard made it clear he would like to attract the driver.
Can Ricciardo continue his motorsport career in V8 Supercars?
"I think everyone would welcome Daniel with open arms, absolutely. Would we like to see Ricciardo in a Supercar? 100 per cent. Just imagine if he could be in one of our cars and race in a new street race in Perth. That would be something special, wouldn't it? It would be massive," Howard told News Corp.
"He is such an incredible driver and has such an incredible personality and people just absolutely love him. Imagine him racing at Bathurst, wow. That would be very cool indeed. At an appropriate time, we would reach out to Daniel and his management," he added before highlighting a link.
"Blake Friend, in his management team, used to work for us at Supercars. At the right time, we would reach out, but we would certainly like to have him in one of our cars, 100 per cent we would," he concluded.
The V8 Supercars race in Australia and New Zealand. One of their biggest events takes place at Albert Park. It's the second round of the series, and it has previously supported the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix weekend.
External advisor Helmut Marko also has an offer for Ricciardo. That would include being an ambassador for Red Bull, which would see Ricciardo busy at PR events. With the V8 Supercar Championship having 12 race weekends spread between February and November, it might be possible to juggle both. Ricciardo has previously mentioned his interest in NASCAR.