Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed it would be “interested” in Daniel Ricciardo assuming an off-track role within the team following his exit from Formula 1.
Ricciardo’s career as a driver appears to be over amid RB’s announcement earlier this week that Liam Lawson will be inheriting his spot over the remaining six rounds.
The New Zealander, who replaced a sidelined Ricciardo at five races last term, will have the chance during the remaining events to stake his claim to a 2025 race seat.
But Marko, who oversaw Ricciardo’s development as he climbed the Red Bull Junior ranks, has admitted the team would welcome retaining the Australian in the team.
“We have had a conversation and it is clear that we are interested,” Marko told Motorsport Total. “He is one of the most popular Formula 1 drivers, especially in the United States.
“But he wants time to consider his entire future. I don’t think he will enter any other racing category.
“And, on the other hand, if he is no longer actively racing, will he still want these PR activities at all?
“Ricciardo also has a lot of money in the bank and I would say it is a life decision for him to decide how he wants to shape his future life.”
Ricciardo will not ‘restart career’ as Red Bull reserve driver
Ricciardo himself has already indicated that any future involvement with Red Bull would not include being a reserve driver, a role he took up last year in the hope that it would again lead to a race seat, which he held with the team between 2014 and 2018.
“Obviously last year it made a lot of sense to keep one foot in the door and the big picture was to try and get back at Red Bull,” he said.
“I think if I was to do that again… I’m not going to restart my career. I’m also 35 and I still showed the pace that I’ve had over the years, but it’s obviously been evident that it’s been harder for me to show it every weekend.
“It definitely came easier for me when I was 25 as opposed to 35, but also maybe the competition is just increasing.
“I’m happy that, once upon a time, I could do it and that was a lot of fun. And I also want to leave the sport with good memories of it and it doesn’t get into that place where it’s just a grind and I’m out in Q1 every weekend. That’s obviously not fun.”
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