Daniel Ricciardo and Michael Schumacher are both currently not in the sport, with the former having taken up the role of a third driver at Red Bull this year following his exit from McLaren. While the two drivers haven’t shared the track for a long time, the young Honey Badger got a taste of Schumacher’s ferocity at the 2012 F1 Japanese GP in Suzuka during his first full year in the sport.
With 10th place on the line, the Australian managed to defend against a charging Schumacher at the end of the race at Suzuka, receiving praise from the German himself the following week. Ricciardo told Speedcafe:
Daniel Ricciardo expects ‘hard answer’ with 2023 Red Bull comeback
Daniel Ricciardo claims his role as the third driver for Red Bull in 2023 will tell if he truly wants to return to the grid in 2024. The Australian lost his McLaren seat to compatriot Oscar Piastri after two unsuccessful seasons with the Woking-based team.
Ricciardo could benefit from a break from the grid in 2023 as he will have time to ask himself some tough questions. The Australian driver claims watching the grid take off in Bahrain next year will tell him whether or not he wants to return to the grid in a full-time capacity the following year. If he feels like he wants to make his return in 2024, then realizing that early on in the 2023 season might be extremely beneficial from a planning perspective. Meanwhile, the eight-time Grand Prix winner will help develop the 2023 Red Bull car with his former team.
Daniel Ricciardo told the In The Fast Lane podcast:
It remains to be seen if the Australian driver will ever find his way back to the grid in a full-time capacity. Fans of Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull, however, are looking forward to the role the Honey Badger will take up in the Austrian team this year.
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