Helmut Marko, a motorsport adviser to Red Bull Racing, revealed that Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) is expected to sign a contract with the team of former Milton Keynes in 2023 as a “third driver”.
Helmut Marko responded to an interview with Germany’s Sky following the first free practice on Friday 18th, speculating that Sergio Perez’s 2023 drive was in doubt and that Ricciardo was on the list to replace him. He denied, explaining that the 33-year-old Australian would be the third driver.
While serving as a development driver as a backup role for current world champions Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, it seems that he will play an ambassador role. Verstappen is under contract until 2028 and Perez until 2024.
Regarding the reserve driver, Liam Lawson, who will switch to Super Formula, will continue to play a backup role in both Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams.
After joining the Red Bull Junior Team in 2008, Ricardo made his F1 debut with Hispania Racing in 2011 before moving to Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2012. When Mark Webber retired in 2014 and was promoted to Red Bull, he beat four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Transferred to Renault in 2019 when the team switched power units from Renault to Honda following five seasons. Two years later, he moved to McLaren for 2021, but was unable to tame a car with a weaker front end and was sacked by compatriot Oscar Piastri.
An official announcement from the team is awaited.
