McLaren CEO Teases Daniel Ricciardo to NASCAR Hint With Heartfelt Farewell for the Aussie

Daniel Ricciardo ran his final race for the Red Bull team at the Singapore Grand Prix. Although Ricciardo hasn’t announced anything officially, many believe this was his last Formula One race. If it is true, it would be after 257 races, eight career wins, and 32 podium finishes that the Kiwi hangs his F1 helmet. Known for his witty sense of humor both on and off track, the Aussie was a regular at popping the champagne while at Red Bull’s main team.

However, his switch to Renault in 2019 and then to McLaren in 2021 was the start of his downfall in the sport. McLaren during Ricciardo’s time wasn’t as great as it is now, yet, he managed a win with them in 2021 in the Italian GP. After Daniel’s Singapore race, McLaren CEO and his ex-boss sent a heartfelt message to the Kiwi hinting at what could be Ricciardo’s future career plan.

Is Daniel Ricciardo coming to NASCAR?

After a year and a half at McLaren, Daniel found himself without a ride in 2023. However, Red Bull came to his rescue, making him the reserve driver of the star team featuring 3-time-formula One champion Max Verstappen and multiple race winner Sergio Perez. However, the role for Ricciardo there was more of a marketer than as a racer. He was quickly shifted to Red Bull Racing’s B team, AlphaTauri, now RB, teaming up with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. However, there too, Ricciardo did not garner much success – bagging only four top-10 finishes and ending his current run at 14th position.

Post Ricciardo’s last race, Zak Brown sent a heartfelt message to his former driver. Brown took to Instagram to write, “Daniel, you’re one of a kind. A supremely quick driver and an awesome person to be around. Your win in Monza will forever be etched into McLaren’s history. It was one of the best moments of my life, and I have the tattoo to prove it! I know that day meant a lot to you, too.”  While the question of what’s next looms for Daniel Ricciardo, NASCAR has emerged as an option. For long enough, Ricciardo has voiced being a fan of the sport; since his childhood, he’s been a Dale Earnhardt Sr fan.

The NASCAR Legend inspired Daniel’s car number 3. Back in 2021, when Brown was still his boss at McLaren, he made the dream come true. As part of a 20-minute show run in COTA, Ricciardo drove Earnhardt’s 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Further in his message to Riccairdo, Brown wrote, “Watching you thrash Dale Earnhardt Sr’s 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo around COTA is also one of my favorite memories of our time together! MEGA! All the best in your next adventure, and I know you’ll crush whatever it is.” 

Ricciardo, too, has often spoken of his interest in NASCAR. In a recent interview with Tourism Western Australia, he said, “There’s things I would like to try and experience, I don’t know, let’s say on a competitive level. It’s, you know, I grew up a fan of NASCAR, I’d love to drive a NASCAR [car]. I’d love to drive around Daytona [International Speedway] for example.”  Probably Trackhouse’s Justin Marks can bring him as part of his “Project 91”, the same way he brought 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Räikkönen into NASCAR, Ricciardo can also make a debut in a road course race.

What are Daniel Ricciardo’s other options?

If Ricciardo is keen on entering American Motorsports, IndyCar can be an option. Thanks to all his open-wheel driving experience, he would fit right in. However, back in 2022, he had shut that idea after revealing: “Ovals scare me. My Formula 1 career/ambition is not over, so that’s really like first and foremost. I don’t want to deviate, I would say primarily for that reason. Ten years ago, I would have said yes. I’m OK to admit that I’m not OK with ovals”.

While he is still scared of them, it could be a possibility now. As reported by F1 Panet, Ricciardo recently affirmed, “IndyCar still scares me. I’ve thought about it because I also thought about it a couple of years ago when I knew I wasn’t going to start the 2023 season, but, I don’t know.” Well if he is scared of ovals, NASCAR doesn’t seem like a good option. Since the majority of NASCAR races are on ovals. Ricciardo also spoke about wanting to try motorbikes, so maybe, MotoGP can be an option. In the Tourism WA interview, he had said, “I love motorbikes … but I would be very, very slow and probably horrendous.” His social media is also filled with photos of him riding.

Going back home and racing in Supercars can be an option too for Ricciardo. What do you think Daniel Ricciardo should do? Share with us in the comments down below.