Daniel Ricciardo was in a position to return to the Formulation 1 paddock as a visitor, hinting at Laurent Mekies, principal of the Crimson Bull group.
The eight-time Grand Prix winner, Ricardo confirmed he retired from the race in an open letter earlier this month.
The 36-year-old Australian has been continually linked to the opportunity of a full-time F1 comeback since shedding his drive final season, however these hopes have vanished following his resolution to name time on race day.
Nevertheless, Ricciardo has been working with the older group Crimson Bull since 2026 in F1, and is partnering with American producers, permitting him to nonetheless return to the F1 paddock.
This can be a state of affairs that new Crimson Bull chief Mekies did not rule out when speaking to Sky Sports activities F1 on the Italian Grand Prix.
“It is a household feeling to see Daniel return to Ford Race as a part of this journey,” Mekies mentioned of Ricciardo’s new enterprise.
“It is a terrific feeling. It is one among many examples of seeing the variety of connection factors we’ve got between two firms, between two tasks.
“I am positive everybody loves watching Daniel return to the paddock, and I am going to do this at some point because of Ford Race.”
Daniel Riccardo’s open letter
After being dropped by Crimson Bull’s sister group Racing Bulls after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, Ricardo shared his information days earlier than the Italian Grand Prix.
“I needed to jot down all of the transient notes so that you can match some thrilling information,” Ricardo wrote. “My race day is behind me, however my love with the wheels stays excessive and I’m proud to associate with Ford to develop into a worldwide Ford race ambassador.
“I’ll work carefully with the Ford Racing group and deal with the Raptor model and life-style, which is especially superb for a lot of Ford clients.
“So, why am I? After I determined it was time to retire, I assumed I used to be lengthy and exhausting at discovering probably the most genuine method to keep my connection to the world of motorsports. For me, racing was at all times enjoyable. It made me blissful and created recollections that lasted a lifetime.
“I remembered the core recollections with Ford. First, after I purchased a Raptor in 2017 earlier than proudly owning a house within the US. There are priorities. Ford introduced that it’s partnering with Oracle Crimson Bull Racing. Spectacular.
“Then I visited the Cologne group later that summer time, met workers, watched dwell crash exams and answered questions at metropolis corridor.
“By way of all these alternatives, Ford and his workers’ ardour for motorsports has been very clear. However what excites me probably the most is that you just proceed to search out methods to innovate and have enjoyable. Ford is constructing the fitting enterprise round motorsports and utilizing it to carry new know-how to street automobiles.
“The Raptor is changing into a worldwide powerhouse because it removes its deep love for American-made ‘American’ and vans from the equation. I’m changing into one among 1000’s of blissful clients. A few of my favorite recollections are roads tripping behind the handles of the Raptor, unable to attend so as to add possession of the prevailing Raptor, and may’t wait to fulfill clients who’ve equal ardour for the automobile.
“I could not be extra enthusiastic about all of the superb drives with Ford and all of the unbelievable tasks Ford Race has within the pipeline. From Formulation 1 to Dakar, Le Mans to Bathurst, there are few firms which have ever been on this.
