Daniel Ricciardo has been announced as a ‘third driver’ with Red Bull F1 for 2023. The contract, which is basically not involved in the Grand Prix weekend, makes us speculate that “adult circumstances”.
Red Bull has prepared a position as a reserve driver, and in 2023 Liam Lawson and Dennis Hauger, who finished F2 in 3rd place and qualified for the F1 super license, will serve. Reserve drivers are scheduled to accompany each Grand Prix or to assist the team in working on the simulator at the factory during race weekends.
If a reserve driver role is provided, the third driver is the so-called test driver. As stated in Red Bull’s announcement, Daniel Ricciardo will be responsible for testing, simulator work and commercial activities as test driver. Examples include Pirelli’s tire development tests, factory machine development, and Red Bull’s demonstration runs in various countries.
Daniel Ricciardo was under a contract to race with McLaren until 2023, but the team asked him to end his contract a year early to make way for rookie Oscar Piastri, to which Ricciardo agreed.
Daniel Ricciardo will reportedly face a £13.25million ($22million) penalty from McLaren, equivalent to 50% of his 2023 salary.
However, if Daniel Ricciardo signs a contract with another F1 team in 2023, it is said that he will have to pay McLaren the same amount as the salary he agreed with that team. It’s essentially a gardening leave in exchange for money.
Daniel Ricciardo did not take a seat with the Haas F1 Team or Williams, which was still vacant.
Therefore, it is presumed that the contract with Red Bull is involved in the “adult circumstances” that, although he will be involved in the behind-the-scenes work of the F1 team, he cannot basically be involved in the race team at the Grand Prix.
“I’m not going to all 24 races, so I’d rather stay on the grid,” said Daniel Ricciardo following the 2023 deal.
“It’s become clear to me that I still need a little bit of time off for myself and I need to step away for a bit, but I want to be around and stay involved to some extent.”
Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner has downplayed the possibility of returning to the Red Bull race seat, saying there are “specific reasons” for signing Daniel Ricciardo. He has shown confidence in the current driver line-up of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
Asked if Daniel Ricciardo would be a long-term promotion option, Horner said: “No. Daniel’s contract is very specific for certain reasons.
“We have a contract with the Czech Republic for the next two years. What the partnership between Max and the Czech Republic has produced has been amazing for us. Winning the Constructors’ Championship, which we didn’t win for the year, is a phenomenal achievement, clearly due to the combined points contributions of both drivers.”
“The two drivers have a good relationship and have done some good races for the team, and I don’t think that will change tomorrow, nor for the duration of their contractual commitments to the team following that.”
Category: F1 / Daniel Ricardo / red bull
